TIMELESS BEAUTY: Nisei Week Queens gathered at the Japanese American National Museum for their annual reunion on Aug. 11. Front row, seated from left: MIS veteran Hitoshi Sameshima, Em Kato Yamada (1952), Richard de’Queiroz (Judy Sugita’s husband). Second row, from left: 2013 Princess Jamie Teragawa, 2013 First Princess Ashley Honma, 2013 Nisei Week Queen Lauren Iwata, Nisei Week Foundation President Steve Inouye, Stella Nakadate Matsuda (1955), Sandy Toshiyuki (1976), France Yanai Wong (1962), Judy Sugita deQueiroz (1953), 2013 Miss Tomadachi Megumi Yuhara, 2013 Princess Laura Higashi, 2013 Princess Stephanie Fukunaga. Third row, from left: Tamlyn Tomita (1984), Naomi Ono Sognefest (1993), Lani Nishiyama (2010), Erika Olsen (2011), Liane Takano (2006), Joann Shin Cordeiro (1996), Carol Kunitsugu Itatani (1965), Frances Shima Matsumoto (1981), Tish Okabe Kato (1985), Dulcie Ogi Kawata (1975). Fourth row, from left: Nikki Kodama (2004), Emily Folick (2012), Monika Teuffel (2007), Nicole Cherry-Yu (2003), Lauren Kinkade Wong (2001), Tracy Isawa Ahn (1983), June Aochi Berk (1954). (MARIO G. REYES/Rafu Shimpo)PROUD PIONEERS: Nisei Week honored elders who have contributed years of leadership in the Japanese American community at the annual Pioneers Luncheon on Aug. 14 in Little Tokyo. Award recipients (seated, from left) Chogi Higa, Takayuki Kubota, Yoshiko Yamaguchi, Shihan Fumio Demura, Norio Uyematsu and Kiyoshi Yamazaki. Standing (from left) JBA Vice President Ryuji Watanabe, Princess Jamie Teragawa, First Princess Ashley Honma, Nisei Week Queen Lauren Iwata, Miss Tomodachi Megumi Yuhara, Princess Laura Higashi, Princess Stephanie Fukunaga and Nisei Week Foundation President Steve Inouye. Speaking on behalf of the pioneers, Uyematsu said, “My message is always remember our roots. Remember the Issei parents … who suffered the most to gain the equality for new generations.” (MARIO G. REYES/Rafu Shimpo)SERVING THE COMMUNITY: Nisei Week honored recognized the Little Tokyo Community Council, Mikawaya, Suburban Optimist Club of Buena Park and the Yonsei Basketball Association for their work helping the Japanese American community at the annual Community Service Awards dinner on Aug. 12 in Little Tokyo. First row (from left) Mike Okamoto and Craig Ishii of LTCC; Denise Iketani, representing Cold Tofu, parade marshal; Frank Kiyomura and Mark Nakakihara (Yonsei); Grand Marshal Jan Perry, former city councilmember; Ryan and Joel Friedman (Mikawaya) and Dan Fukushima (Suburban Optimist). Second row (from left): 2013 Nisei Week Court Jamie Teragawa, Ashley Honma, Queen Lauren Iwata, Megumi Yuhara, Laura Higashi and Stephanie Fukunaga, and Steve Inouye, Nisei Week Foundation president. (MARIO G. REYES/Rafu Shimpo)
