Princess – Dawn Yonamine Mom, Grandma, Uncle Rand & the rest of my family & friends-- my foundation, my roots… You have guided me, encouraged me and held me up when I wanted to fall. Your strength and your love have taught me that anything is possible with you by my side! To Brandon & the Kurisu Family-- my inspiration, my wings… You were patient and you believed in me. You shared your compassion, support & encouragement when I needed it most. I am humbled and grateful to have you in my life! To Robb, the MANY HJJCC members, volunteers, & class instructors-you breathe the heart, spirit, & life into this festival. Being a Japanese American woman has new meaning in my life because of the lessons I’ve learned from each & every one of you! My CBF sisters-- “Don’t walk in front, I may not follow… Don’t walk behind, I may not lead… Just walk beside me and be my friend.” Thank you for all the unforgettable memories, the many snapfish photos, for sharing your hearts & for becoming my friends!
Miss Congeniality – Keri Haitsuka Growing up as a gosei, I did not truly understand the meaning of being proud to be a Japanese American. My journey with the 56th Cherry Blossom Festival has bestowed upon me more knowledge of my culture - past and present than I ever imagined I could gain. I am not only proud, but extremely honored to be a part of such as beautiful culture and festival. To my dad, mom, Sean, Lara, and the rest of my family, thank you for being there when I needed you most. Knowing that you loved me unconditionally allowed me to push myself farther than I thought was possible. To Mike, thank you for your patience and pep talks. You truly deserve an award for everything I put you through. To Kwi and Jen, thank you for traveling such a long way to celebrate along side me. To my friends and co-workers, thank you for listening to my countless stories and for understanding when my schedule got hectic. To my Cherry Blossom sisters, I am utterly grateful for the numerous once-in-a-lifetime experiences we have shared. Our journey has been unforgettable. I LOVE YOU ALL and couldn’t have done it without you!!!
Miss Popularity – Jamie Lyn Migita Mom, Dad, Kim, Nana & Pa: Thank you for your everlasting support, encouragement, and love. Danny: Thank you for believing in me and being so patient and understanding. You’ve been there for me through it all. Thank you for making me a better person. Wendy, Sean, and Kristie: My BFFs! Thank you for ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS being there for me. I knew I could count on you for anything…Life’s great when you have fabulous friends! Trisha, Ashley, Stacey, Dawn and Keri: the laughter, the tears, the memories, and all the “funny faces”, …Priceless. I’m blessed to have been able to share this experience with all of you. To the rest of my family and friends: Thank you for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime! The friendships, the experiences, the lessons learned, and the personal growth…I’ve truly had the time of my life! Without your support, none of this would have been possible. I could not have done it without each and every one of you. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! 29