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.