Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 20, 2016

SECTION B

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2016

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

ANTONOVICH HONORS THE 2016 NISEI WEEK 
QUEEN AND COURT


LOS ANGELES COUNTY – Supervisor Michael 
D. Antonovich honored the 2016 Nisei Week 
Japanese Festival Queen and Royal Court at the 
Board of Supervisors meeting. Founded in 1934, 
the annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival promotes 
Japanese culture and heritage through exhibits, 
sporting events, martial arts exhibitions, street art 
festivals, a grand parade and a car show in Little 
Tokyo. 

On August 13, with a crowd of nearly 700 in 
attendance at the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo, 
the 2016 Nisei Week Queen and Royal Court were 
chosen. Queen Jaclyn Hidemi Tomita is a 24-year-
old and a graduate of San Diego State University, 
where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree 
in Art and Multimedia. She plans to become 
a Registered Nurse. Jaclyn represents the San 
Fernando Valley Japanese-American Community 
Center and will support the “Michael J. Fox 
Foundation” as her platform. 

1st Princess Megan Tomiko Ono is 23-years-old 
and a graduate of the California State University 
of Long Beach where she received her Bachelor 
of Arts degree in Communications Studies and a 
Minor in Marketing. She plans to attend graduate 
school and pursue a career in the nonprofit field 
where she hopes to utilize her marketing and 
communication skills. Megan represents the 
Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council and 
will support “Lakers Youth Foundation” as her 
platform.

“Miss Tomodachi” Julia Kiyomi Tani is 24-years-
old and a graduate of the California Maritime 
Academy where she received her Bachelor of Science 
degree in International Business and Logistics. She 
plans on becoming a special education teacher or 
speech pathologist. Julia represents the Pasadena 
Japanese Cultural Institute and will support “path” 
as her platform.

Princess Heather Yoneko Iwata is 25-years-old and 
a graduate of the University of Southern California, 
where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree 
in Communications. She plans to be a leader in 
cultivating diversity within the entertainment 
industry by opening a small business in Little 
Tokyo. Heather represents the East San Gabriel 
Valley Japanese Community Center and will 
support the pediatric cancer research program as 
her platform.

Princess Kaya Minezaki is 24-years-old and a 
graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, 
where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree 
in Biology with a Minor in English. She plans to 
attend medical school and specialize in emergency 
medicine. Kaya represents the Japanese Restaurant 
Association of America and will support “Project 
Angel Food” as her platform.

Princess April Leilani Nishinaka is 23-years-
old and a graduate of the University of Southern 
California, where she received her Bachelor of 
Arts degree in Physics with a minor in American 
Studies and Ethnicity. She plans on teaching 
high school math or science. April represents 
the Evening Optimist Club of Gardena and will 
support “Expanding Your Horizons Network” as 
her platform.

Princess Shannon Aiko Rose Tsumaki is 22-years-
old and a graduate of Whittier College, where 
she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 
Sociology and a Minor in Anthropology. She is 
currently working as a cost planner/analyst at 
Northrop Grumman Aerospace Corporation and 
ultimately plans to attain a management role in 
human resources. Shannon represents the West 
Los Angeles Japanese American Citizens League 
and Venice Japanese Community Center and will 
support the “Susan G. Komen for The Cure” as her 
platform.


Pictured left to right: Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Princess Kaya Minezaki, Princess Shannon 
Aiko Rose Tsumaki, First Princess Megan Tomiko Ono, Queen Jaclyn Hidemi Tomita, Supervisor 
Hilda Solis, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Nisei Foundation President Terry Hara, Supervisor 
Don Knabe, Miss Tomodachi Julia Kiyomi Tani, Princess April Leilani Nishinaka, and Princess Heather 
Yoneko Iwata


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com