Los Gatos, January 24, 2023: The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District (LGSUHSD) is proud to announce that the Los Gatos High School Japanese National Honor Society (JNHS) hosted the 4th annual Japanese Program Haiku Holiday Film Festival last Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Los Gatos High School (LGHS), bringing together vendors, an art contest, films, and alumni testimonials to hundreds in attendance.
Students of the JNHS organized the showing of two Japanese movies: Jungle Emperor Leo, a 1997 Japanese animated film focusing on the last half of Osamu Tezuka's manga, and Kintaro Walks Japan, a documentary film of the director's journey walking and backpacking the entire length of Japan. In addition, alumni of LGHS's Japanese Program were featured as recordings and in-person testimonials with live Q & A opportunities. Saratoga High School JNHS students participated in vendor booths and served as volunteers during the event.
“One of the goals for this event was that we provide a homecoming opportunity for the alumni and help current students learn from them,” shared Kumi Kobayashi, Japanese Teacher at Los Gatos High School. After thriving in Los Gatos High School’s Japanese National Honor Society, alumni shared various experiences of how they attended Tsukuba University in Japan, participated in the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) program, or decided to move to Japan to pursue careers.
Proceeds from ticket sales and the JNHS concessions were donated to Mental Health America, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness. Los Gatos High School’s Japanese National Honor Society officers researched charities and chose Mental Health America for their mission to promote overall wellness, including prevention services for all.