SAN FRANCISCO — The candidates for 2014 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen were announced on Saturday in San Francisco Japantown.
The five candidates were introduced to the Nikkei media at the Union Bank Community Room, then appeared in Peace Plaza during the preview of the 47th annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, which will be held April 12-13 and 19-20.
Following are brief profiles:
• Alessandra Meiko Dameshghi, 25, sponsored by Benihana.
Birthplace: San Diego
College: San Francisco State University
Major: Asian American studies
Goal in life: “To be successful in my career and still be able to spend time with my family.”
Hobbies: Event planning, cake decorating, baking, cooking, swimming
Creative expression for program night: Hula
• Kristin Mariko Matsumoto, 25, sponsored by Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
Birthplace: Mountain View
College: UC Davis
Major: Plant biology
Goal in life: “To master a craft and learn more about nature, art, and history.”
Hobbies: Fabric crafts, cooking, taiko, gardening, Gundam model building
Creative expression for program night: Taiko
• Alison Kapola Nishiyama, 25, sponsored by Takara Sake USA Inc.
Birthplace: Honolulu
College: University of San Francisco
Major: Business
Goal in life: “To empower and support the growth of others through education.”
Hobbies: Hula, taking her dogs to the beach, reading, cooking and trying new cuisines, hiking
Creative expression for program night: Hula
• Sayaa Stephanie Sakurai, 20, sponsored by Nikkei Lions Club of San Francisco
Birthplace: Mountain View
College: UC Davis
Major: Biochemistry, molecular biology
Goal in life: “To be a primary care physician and provide free health care in Third World countries.”
Hobbies: Volunteering, learning and researching, home economics, tutoring, reading
Creative expression for program night: Flute
• Kyle Sayaka Fujiki Tana, 24, sponsored by Golden Gate Optimist Club of San Francisco
Birthplace: New York City
College: UC Santa Barbara
Major: Sociology, black studies
Goal in life: “To receive an MBA or MA in education, social work or international affairs.”
Hobbies: Dancing, cooking, surfing, fashion, travel
Creative expression for program night: Contemporary dance
Speakers at the press conference included Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Committee Program Director Sarah Fedaie (2007 Tomodachi Award recipient); Queen Program Chairman Benh Nakajo; NCCBF General Co-Chairs Rich Hashimoto and Allen Okamoto.
The Queen Program will be held Saturday, April 12, at 6 p.m. at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, Post and Fillmore in Japantown. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25. For more information, contact Tosh Mitsuda at (650) 871-9287 or tocamit@gmail.com, or visit www.nccbfqueenprogram.org.
The 2014 Cherry Blossom Court and Nikkei courts from Los Angeles, Seattle and Honolulu will also participate in the Grand Parade on Sunday, April 20, at 1 p.m. The parade starts at City Hall and ends in Japantown.