{"id":156850,"date":"2022-03-22T14:55:02","date_gmt":"2022-03-23T00:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=156850"},"modified":"2024-03-14T23:27:09","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T09:27:09","slug":"queen-finds-sense-of-community-at-uh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2022\/03\/22\/queen-finds-sense-of-community-at-uh\/","title":{"rendered":"#FacesofManoa: Festival queen finds sense of community at 东精影业<\/abbr>"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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From left, Miss Congeniality Danielle Emi Au, Princess Taeler Kealohilani Akana, Princess Tamlyn Mika Sasaki, Queen Shari Michiko Nishijima, First Princess Maile Makamae Kawasaki, Princess Jordyn Yukino Valdez and Miss Popularity Tari-Lynn Yasuko Manin (Photo courtesy: Cherry Blossom Festival Hawaii)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa College of Social Sciences<\/a> alumna is the 70th Cherry Blossom Festival<\/a> queen. Shari Michiko Nishijima<\/strong>, a 2019 graduate in political science<\/a> and communications<\/a>, was crowned at the festival\u2019s annual ball on March 19.<\/p>\n

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Shari Michiko Nishijima<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“It was completely surreal,” Nishijima said. “I was surrounded by 13 incredible women who have supported me throughout this journey and inspire me with their bravery and eloquence, so to be selected as the queen for the 70th Cherry Blossom Festival was an incredible honor.”<\/p>\n

The festival ball capped off several months of cultural and professional development classes, including instruction in taiko<\/em> (Japanese percussion), tea ceremony, Japanese cuisine, Japanese business etiquette and public speaking. Nishijima and the other contestants also participated in several public appearances.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m really going to remember all of the classes and the ability to connect with my culture on a deeper level,” Nishijima said. “I also think that the bonds I was able to create with these women will carry me throughout the rest of my life.”<\/p>\n

Joining Nishijima on the court are First Princess Maile Makamae Kawasaki, Princesses Taeler Kealohilani Akana, Tamlyn Mika Sasaki<\/strong> and Jordyn Yukino Valdez, Miss Congeniality Danielle Emi Au<\/strong> and Miss Popularity Tari-Lynn Yasuko Manin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n