| The Nisei Week Festival proudly presents the 68th Annual Nisei Week Queen & Court. |
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Queen Jill Kaori Hiraizumi
Gardena Evening Optimist & The Loft Hawaiian Restaurant
Jill Kaori Hiraizumi is 22 years old and a recent graduate of the University of California,
San Diego with a double major in Japanese studies and political science. Jill plans to attend
law school in 2009 and aspires to become a lawyer with a practice in international law. When
Jill is not busy teaching language classes, she trains for marathons, reads biographies of
inspirational leaders, and travels. The platform Jill has chosen to support this year is
the Advancement Via Individual Determination.
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First Princess Kimberly Midori Kitaura
East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center
Kimberly Midori Kitaura is 25 years old and a graduate of the University of California, Irvine
with a bachelor's degree in applied ecology. Kimberly is currently employed by Broadcom and
attends school in the evening to pursue her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. In her spare
time, Kimberly enjoys playing basketball, singing karaoke, going out to eat, and solving sudoku
puzzles. The platform that Kimberly has decided to support this year is the Natural Resources
Defense Council.
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Miss Tomodachi Lindy Sumiko Fujimoto
San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center & Coordinating Council
Lindy Sumiko Fujimoto is 24 years old and received her bachelor's degree in Asian American
studies from California State University, Northridge. Lindy is currently attending classes
at East West Players to develop her performance skills in the hopes it will help her become
a professional actor. Her favorite pastimes include reading historical novels, drawing,
baking, watching epic movies, and ice-skating. She has chosen the Ronald McDonald House
Charities as her platform.
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Princess Marissa Asako Ishii
Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council
Marissa Asako Ishii is 24 years old and graduated from the University of the Pacific with a
doctor of pharmacy degree. Currently, Marissa works as a pharmacist at Kaiser Permanente Orange
County and RX Relief. When she is not working, Marissa enjoys playing most sports, including
basketball, swimming, surfing, and running. She also spends time reading and watching anime.
She has chosen the American Diabetes Association as her platform this year.
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Princess Kie Flora Ito
West Los Angeles Japanese American Citizen League & Auxiliary & Venice Japanese Community Center
Kie Flora Ito is 21 years old and currently attends California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
where she is studying broadcast journalism and communications. Her goal is to work in the media and
entertainment industry. Kie is a private language tutor and volunteers in her spare time at Keiro
Intermediate Care facility. Kie enjoys visual arts and music, caring for her pets, and cooking. The
platform Kie has decided to support this year is the American Liver Foundation.
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Princess Lisa Takehana
Japanese Restaurant Association of Southern California
Lisa Takehana is 21 years old and currently attends the University of Southern California where
she studies fine art, specializing in drawing and graphic design. She also studies video game
design and management and hopes to pursue a career as an illustrator and graphic designer in
the entertainment industry. Lisa enjoys traveling to foreign countries and visiting museums
and galleries. Lisa has chosen the United Services Organizations as the platform she plans to
support this year.
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