JETの先生による「けやき祭」の紹介です。

JETの先生は今年の７月に本校に着任され、その明るいキャラクターであっという間に芦花で人気の先生になりました。エネルギッシュな性格で授業や部活動など、日々生徒の活動を支えてくれています。日本での文化祭を初めて経験されたということで、その様子をエッセイに綴っていただきました。

On September 16th and 17th, the students of Roka High School presented and performed their very own bunkasai (文化祭, culture festival) which was an absolute success.

In America, we do not have anything like this where students spend time and put all of their efforts into making these timeless events for their homerooms. I cannot express how amazing it was to experience this bunkasai for the first time in my life.I truly commend the students for their hard work in creating this fantastical, creative space for all to enjoy.

On the third floor, students decorated their rooms beautifully and prepared music videos or short movies to present for the culture festival. Each class showcased their abilities in creating wondrous visuals for students, parents, and teachers to enjoy. I was quite impressed with the themes, transitions, and sequences the students included in their videos.

On the second floor, students had several themes that displayed not only their artistic abilities but their personal skills in operating and managing the rooms on their own. My favorites were 2A-2D where I had the chance to gaze at whiteboard art, paintings, drawings, and photos from each respected club. But I cannot forget Seminar Room 1, where they let me glue a colored piece onto a drawn out outline, creating a colorful design, but my heart belongs to the kaleidoscope. They missed no details with all of the brilliant hues and shades chosen to present their work.

On the first floor, students had these amazing booths with complex and intricate details. 31HR had a Guild themed booth where you had to solve these riddles or problems in order to move on and potentially gain a prize. 37HR had a festival booth set up where you could experience the school’s rendition of a matsuri (祭り)in a quick, and crowdless session. The favorites were 35 and 36HR where they had booths for a space and horror “rollercoaster” ride. The students worked really hard in giving everyone who came a thrilling fun time.

There was a Road Show by 23HR, a Got Talent show by 26HR, and a music concert by different bands that everyone could attend in the bigger rooms like the gymnasium. Seeing students put forth their talent made me wish nothing but success for them in the future when they graduate from Roka High School. You just had to be there to see it.

I was asked which one was my absolute favorite and I find it so hard to choose because I loved everything the students made for the culture festival. There are things they did that I would have not have thought of doing myself and it has impressed me. Overall, my first experience during Roka High School’s bunkasai was excellent and I hope to enjoy next year’s bunkasai just as much as I did this year.

This bunkasai will truly be one to be remembered for all.