It’s nengajoo contest time!  Thank you once again for your faithful support for this annual event. Takamiya sensei (Kamehameha School) has graciously offered to serve as the coordinator for this year.  This year again, we will extend the entries to college students and are looking forward to many submissions.

Eligibility:  Students of Japanese in public and private schools in Hawaii
Theme:  Traditional New Year’s theme related to the Year of the Rat
Divisions:  Elementary, intermediate, high school and college
Categories:  Most Humorous, Most Original, and Most Artistic

Prizes:  Winning cards for each category will be sent to Hawaii Herald and Hawaii Hochi for publication in their New Year editions.  We will also be presenting each student with a certificate and a prize to recognize their efforts.
All college entries need to be submitted by Friday, November 16th and the deadline for all K-12 cards is Friday, December 7th:  Please send entries and the completed application form to:
                Mrs. Elaine Takamiya
                2533 10th Avenue
                Honolulu, HI  96816
Note:  If you would like your cards returned, please provide a self-addressed envelope with adequate postage together with your entries.

Some “Do” Pointers

• All cards should be on white postcard size card stock (4” x 6”).
• The front of the card should include the following in Japanese:   
  a.        New Year’s message （e.g., あけましておめでとう、謹賀新年）
  b.        Date (year with either “元旦” or “一月一日”).
  c.        Picture (should not be 3-dimensional, fold-out or pasted on) in accordance with authentic Japanese New Year's themes.
  d.        Student’s name (lower left hand corner) 
• All writing should be in black ink and should be legible and correctly written.  Any card with white-out will be disqualified.
• On the back of the card, please have students write the following:
  a.        Student’s name and grade level in school
  b.        School’s name, address and phone number
  c.        Teacher’s name
  d.        Category division