Shaler Area High School students took top awards in the annual High School Japanese Speech Contest held through the University of Pittsburgh.
The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh’s Asian Studies Center hosts the Japanese Speech Contest each year for Japanese learners of all levels.
Shaler Area junior Margaret Rea, who competed at the Advanced Level, received the top award and was named the grand prize winner.
Additionally, seniors Zoe Babbit, Jamie Eichmiller, and Abby Sawa tied for 1st place in the Advanced Plus Level.
In the Advanced Level, Shaler Area junior Mai Swendsen also placed 2nd, and junior Riley Pegher placed 3rd.
At the Intermediate Level, sophomore Isabella Drischler placed 3rd.
Students are required to memorize a speech in Japanese on the chosen topic for the speech contest. The Shaler Area students who participated in the 2021 spoke about the place they most want to visit in Japan.