Mary Kawakami, Founder of the Youth Speech Contest, Passes

NEW: Luminary Tribute to Mary Kawakami, December 12, 2023, 5-7pm. Join family and friends to remember Mary!

In 2002, Mary established the Mary Kawakami Youth Speech contest for students in grades 7-12. The topic is “America – Our Country.

Mary Kawakami was born in Colorado to Japanese immigrants on December 12, 1912. Her parents were devoted Americans in every way. Mary’s father was not allowed to vote, but he carefully studied the candidates in every election and gave Mary the information he had gathered. She listened and learned but voted how she wanted anyway. She studied civics and taught other immigrants what they needed to know to pass the test to become U.S. citizens. Read more >>>