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MONIKA TANIGUCHI TEUFFEL CROWNED 2007 NISEI WEEK QUEEN
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| All photos used by permission from Toyo Miyatake Studios. All Rights Reserved. | ||
(Los Angeles - August 19, 2007) - The Nisei Week Foundation, one of the longest running ethnic festivals in the U.S., is excited to announce Monika Taniguchi Teuffel, 23, a resident of Huntington Beach, Calif., was crowned the 67th Nisei Week Queen on Saturday, August 18 at the George & Sakaye Aratani Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo. Teuffel, who represents the West Los Angeles Japanese American Citizen League & Auxiliary & Venice Japanese Community Center, was taken by complete surprise and broke into tears as she heard Master of Ceremonies David Ono, KABC-TV news anchor, and Mistress of Ceremonies Tamlyn Tomita, actor, announce her name. Saki Uechi, Little Tokyo Lions Club representative, was crowned First Princess; and Christine Wai Lan Kimoto, Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council representative, was voted Miss Tomodachi (Congeniality) by the five other candidates.
Teuffel said she is looking forward to the year ahead with the Nisei Week court. "It has been even more fun than I expected. On top of all the long hours of training and events, we still can't get enough of each other." Additionally, she stated, "I can't even put it into words, it's so great to be a part of the Nisei Week festival and to be really behind the scenes throughout the year."
Her parents Yoshie and Burk Teuffel, in addition to the many friends and sponsors who were there to support her, were very pleased by her being crowned. Teuffel is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine with a bachelor's degree in international studies with a triple minor in Japanese language and literature, art history, and management. Currently, she works for Mainstay Business Solutions as an account manager and is enrolled in the UCLA Extension architecture and interior design program. When not at work or school, Teuffel enjoys traveling, playing piano, aerobic kickboxing, photography and interior design. She has chosen to support UNICEF as her Nisei Week Platform during her reign.
The 2007 coronation was a spectacular show that was attended by more than 700 guests, who were on hand to cheer their favorite candidates. A Japanese dance performance by the candidates in kimono opened up the evening. They followed this by singing "Best Friend" in Japanese and English. The candidates also performed a "fun" dance number to "Unwritten" choreographed by Diana Toshiko. The candidates then came out in beautiful white evening gowns designed by Tadashi for the question and answer and final glimpse.
Singers Yumi Iwama, Kerry Carnahan, Randy Guiaya, Kekot Kawashima, Tedd Szeto, Kurt Kuniyoshi, and Lisa Joe performed "Once Voice." Additionally, 2006 Nisei Week Queen Liane Takano gave a fond farewell speech thanking all the community and Nisei Week support during the court's most memorable year - through a special video presentation. The 2007 Nisei Week Coronation was presented by Michael Lee chair, Jerry Fukui co-chair, director/producer, Kurt Kuniyoshi, and musical director Scott Nagatani.
The Nisei Week's queen committee chair Deanna Nakamura coordinated the candidates' four months of training as well as will oversee the next year as they represent the Nisei Week Festival in Los Angeles' sister city, Nagoya, as a part of a goodwill tour that includes the Nagoya Festival; Honolulu Cherry Blossom Festival; San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival, among other events. Queen committee members include: Jenni Okamura, co-chair, Tiffany Hattori, Jill Nakata, Kristi Higa, Jennifer Yoshida, and NJ Nakamura. The 2007 Nisei Week court stylists are: hair styles provided by Michie Sujishi and Mariko Sasaki; and coronation gown and an outfit created especially for the girls by fashion designer Tadashi. Michie Sujishi and Cathy Gali are the court's kimono stylists.
The first Nisei Week queen's contest was held in 1935, when patrons of Little Tokyo businesses voted for candidates. The young woman with the most votes was crowned queen. In its day the contest generated interest and revenue to Little Tokyo. Though the coronation has changed enormously over the nearly seven decades since the first queen (during WWII, the festival did not take place), its purpose has endured. Nisei Week continues this tradition to generate awareness about the festival and bring people to Little Tokyo - providing a destination for which multi-generations and diverse backgrounds can experience the Japanese culture.
The 2007 Nisei Week court are:
First Princess - Saki Uechi (Little Tokyo Lions Club)
Saki Uechi, 25 years old, grew up playing sports. After playing girl's varsity basketball and boy's varsity golf, she was recruited to play golf on the University of California, Los Angeles' women's golf team, earning a scholarship and becoming a member of the 2004 Pac-10 and national championship team. After receiving a bachelor's degree in sociology and Japanese, Saki spent two years on the professional golf tour. This Redondo Beach resident currently works for Famima!! Corporation and aspires to become a business entrepreneur. She chose the Tiger Woods Foundation as her Nisei Week platform.
Miss Tomodachi - Christine Wai Lan Kimoto (Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council)
As a 24-year-old first grade teacher, Christine Wai Lan Kimoto, has learned the meaning of responsibility, time management and appreciating the small joys in life. This Huntington Beach resident is a charter board member of the Young Adult Optimist Club and coaches various Orange Coast Optimist Club children's basketball teams. Christine graduated from University of California, San Diego with a bachelor's degree in human development and a minor in teacher education, and plans to obtain a master's degree in education and one day open her own daycare. She has chosen to support as her Nisei Week platform the Orangewood Children's Foundation.
Mandy Michiko Kusumoto (East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center)
Physical fitness is a primary concern for 25-year-old Mandy Michiko Kusumoto. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. Her dream is to one day become a physical therapist and a director of her own sports care rehabilitation center. To gain experience in this field, Mandy currently works at Yonemoto Physical Therapy. This Arcadia resident has a passion for running and is training for her first marathon, to be held in Hawaii this December. She has chosen the Special Olympics as her Nisei Week platform to support.
Jennifer Kiku Minami (Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Loft Hawaiian Restaurant)
Jennifer Kiku Minami is 24 years old and attends California State University, Long Beach. In the fall 2007, she will graduate with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies/elementary education. Later, Jennifer plans to pursue a multiple subject teaching credential with the goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. This Torrance resident is quite busy, in addition to working at the Loft Hawaiian Restaurant and as a dental assistant; she is a volunteer tutor for the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Long Beach Unified School District. She has chosen to support the Pediatric Therapy Network in Torrance as her platform.
Yoshie Margaret Okada (Japanese Restaurant Association of Southern California)
As a 24 year old, Yoshie Margaret Okada has had many Japanese influences. The opportunity to study at a Japanese university for a year enhanced her identity as a Nisei and is her most memorable experience. This San Gabriel resident has been a member of Zenshuji Zendeko Taiko since 1996 and was a Japanese American National Museum volunteer from 1997-2001. Yoshie graduated from the University of California, San Diego with degrees in political science and psychology. She currently works for Pasona NA Inc, a Japanese staffing firm. Yoshie has chosen to support the One Campaign as her Nisei Week platform.
The Nisei Week Festival, the longest running ethnic festival in the U.S., has been attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year since its inception in 1934 (except during WWII from 1942 - 1948) to Little Tokyo to enjoy a Japanese American arts and cultural experience and this year Nisei Week organizers - who are all volunteers - hope to draw even more to the community.
The 2007 Nisei Week Japanese Festival takes place in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo District from August 18-26. For calendar of events and volunteer information on the 67th Nisei Week Festival, please log onto www.NiseiWeek.org or call the Nisei Week Foundation office at 213/687-7193. The Nisei Week office is located at 244 South San Pedro Street, Suite 303, Los Angeles, Calif., 90012.
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