Cherry Blossom Queen Candidates Sought

The 2017 Northern California Cherry Blossom Court visits the Go For Broke Monument in L.A.’s Little Tokyo. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)

SAN FRANCISCO — The Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program Committee seeks enthusiastic, community-minded, young Nikkei women to participate in the 2018 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program.

Held in San Francisco’s historic Japantown, the 51st annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival dates are the weekends of April 14-15 and April 21-22.

The Queen Program will be take place on April 14 at a location to be announced, at which time the new 2018 Queen and Court will be selected.

The Queen Program Committee is seeking qualified young women who will:

* Serve as the goodwill ambassadors for the Japanese American community of Northern California for one calendar year.

* Endeavor to preserve, promote and perpetuate the Japanese American culture through active participation in civic and community events.

* Uphold the highest values and morals as role models for today’s youth while striving to preserve the traditions and values of past Japanese American generations.

Qualified candidates must be:

* Biologically female of at least 18 years of age and not more than 26 years of age as of April 14, 2018.

* A high school graduate by June 2018.

* Single, not previously married and not have any children.

* Of at least 50 percent Japanese ancestry.

* A U.S. citizen who has lived in the Northern California area for at least three years; a foreign national with permanent status of at least one year and who has lived in the Northern California area for at least three years; or a foreign national residing in the Northern California area for at least three years.

Each candidate must submit a personal statement of no more than 250 words addressing this question: “What do the Japanese American community of Northern California and the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival mean to me?”

In addition, submit a speech of no more than 200 words, typed in English or Japanese (translated), on the following subject: “As part of this court and a future community leader, how do I hope to contribute to the Northern California Japanese American community?”

By the deadline of Dec. 15, 2017, apply online at www.nccbfqueenprogram.org/apply/ or send written applications and supplemental information c/o Union Bank, 1675 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94115, Attention: Glenda Okamura.

For further information or other requirements, visit www.nccbfqueenprogram.org or www.facebook.com/NCCBFQP, email cherryblossomqueenprogram@gmail.com or contact Miki Novitski at (650) 642-4747.