- Qualifications [back to top]
Age: Candidate must be at least 19 years old and not older than 25 years old on the day of the coronation, August 16, 2008.
Citizenship: Candidate must have been (A) born or naturalized in the United States or (B) legally living in the United States as a permanent resident.
Nationality: Candidate must be a minimum of fifty percent (50%) Japanese ancestry. Candidate will supply supporting documentation, including parents' names and birth certificate, if requested.
Marital Status: Candidate must not be married, divorced or separated, and must not have children.
Candidate may be engaged to be married, but in the event that she is awarded a Nisei Week title
she must remain unmarried for the duration of her reign.
Conflicts of Interest: Candidate, as a member of the Nisei Week Court, must not enroll or participate
in any other beauty or popularity contests from the date of submission of the Nisei Week Queen Candidate
Application and Profile (the "Application") to the official completion of the Nisei Week Court's
reign (Coronation Ball of the following year), without the expressed written consent of the Nisei Week Foundation.
Eligibility: Candidate's Application must be sponsored by an organization recognized by the Nisei Week Foundation
("Sponsor").
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- General Requirements [back to top]
- Candidate must have a Sponsor.
- Candidate must follow and maintain guidelines set forth by the Nisei Week Foundation and
the Nisei Week Queen Committee.
- Candidate must complete:
- Nisei Week Queen Candidate Rules and Regulations; and
- Nisei Week Queen Candidate Application and Profile.
- The Application must be submitted to the Nisei Week Queen Committee by the Sponsor along with the entry fee of $500.
This entry fee will be used to defray a portion of the Candidate's expenses incurred by the Nisei Week Foundation
and the Nisei Week Queen Committee. It is anticipated that the actual expenses incurred by the Nisei Week Foundation
and the Nisei Week Queen Committee on behalf of each Candidate will be in excess of the amount of the entry fee,
and that the Nisei Week Foundation will be responsible for any additional expenses. In addition, there are other
expenses that will be incurred by the Candidate that are related to the Candidate's participation in Nisei Week
that must be borne by and paid for by the Candidate.
- Proper Conduct [back to top]
- Candidate acknowledges that she is a representative of her Sponsor and the Nisei Week Foundation and that it is her
responsibility to conduct herself properly at all times. Disqualification and removal from the Nisei Week Court may
result if appropriate conduct is not met at all times. Candidate's role as a goodwill ambassador for the Nisei Week
Foundation and the Nisei Week Japanese Festival is very important, and therefore, appropriate behavior and conduct is
required at all times, including, but not limited to:
- Being mature, courteous, and respectful at all times;
- Smiling when meeting people, especially during official visitations and events;
- Dressing appropriately (as deemed by the Nisei Week Foundation and the Nisei Week Queen Committee) at all official functions;
- Not using cell phones or text messaging at official events;
- Not smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages, chewing gum or using profanity during the Nisei Week Japanese Festival or at official events; and
- Avoiding the sun and tanning until after the Coronation Ball.
- Attendance and Punctuality [back to top]
- Attendance and punctuality are key responsibilities of each Candidate. Disqualification and removal from the Nisei
Week Court may result if requirements are not met. Candidate will be expected to make necessary arrangements to participate
in all required events and activities. Tardiness is frowned upon and will be reported to the applicable Sponsor if a problem
develops. It is expected that each Candidate will attend the following events:
- All training sessions, rehearsals and cultural classes;
- All formal and non-formal social events during the Nisei Week Japanese Festival;
- The Nisei Week Coronation Ball;
- All Nisei Week Court appearances or requests to act as representatives during the year;
- New Year's Day Celebration in Little Tokyo;
- The following year's Candidate Orientation meeting;
- The following year's Nisei Week Opening Ceremony; and
- The following year's Nisei Week Coronation Ball.
- The Nisei Week Foundation expects that each Candidate will try to make herself available for all events
associated with the Nisei Week Foundation. It is understood that it is difficult to attend all events,
but please understand that affiliated organizations requesting a visitation look forward to meeting all
members of the Nisei Week Court. Any schedule conflicts must be reported to the Nisei Week Queen Committee
as soon as possible. Please be aware that the Candidate who is crowned Nisei Week Queen must attend every event.
- Training [back to top]
- The preparation and training that each Candidate will be receiving prior to the Coronation Ball is designed
to be a beneficial and a positive experience that will help each Candidate in years to come. Please remember
that the individuals assisting the Candidates in preparation for the Nisei Week Japanese Festival, most of whom
are volunteers, are doing this to benefit each of the Candidates. Please keep the following in mind:
- Each Candidate will be expected to give her full effort at all training and rehearsal sessions,
and her full attention is required. Unnecessary talking and chatting will not be permitted;
- Cell phone use and text messaging is NOT permitted during training sessions;
- Opinions are welcome, but please use discretion at all times;
- Cooperate with the instructors, directors, choreographers, make-up and hair stylists;
- Dress appropriately and as requested to all training and rehearsal sessions;
- Adhere to the deadlines set by the Nisei Week Queen Committee; and
- The Nisei Week Queen Committee will provide Candidate with a notebook to keep all information
pertinent to her participation in the Nisei Week Japanese Festival, including training instructions,
schedule of events, phone numbers and thank you lists. Candidate is required to bring this notebook to
all meetings and training sessions.
- Cultural Classes, Dance Rehearsals, Speech Training, Other Rehearsals [back to top]
- Cultural classes, dance rehearsals, speech training and any other rehearsals are offered to enhance each Candidate's
experience as a member of the Nisei Week Court. The classes, rehearsals and training sessions are offered mostly by
volunteers and it is important that each Candidate keeps in mind the following:
- Treat cultural class, dance rehearsal, speech training and other instructors with the utmost respect and express
gratitude for their time;
- Give full effort at all classes and rehearsals, offer your complete attention and refrain from unnecessary talking and chatting,
- Cell phone use and text messaging is NOT permitted during classes, rehearsals and training sessions;
- Cooperate with the instructors, directors and choreographers;
- Dress appropriately and as requested;
- Remember to verbally thank the instructors and promptly send thank you notes to them; and
- Candidate is required to bring her notebook to all classes, rehearsals and training sessions.
- Rules to Follow While Staying at the Kyoto Grand Hotel [back to top]
- During the Nisei Week Japanese Festival (the week following the Coronation Ball), all members of the
Nisei Week Court will stay at the Kyoto Grand Hotel. The Nisei Week Court will participate in various
events and visitations related to the Nisei Week Foundation and the Nisei Week Japanese Festival. Each
Candidate may visit with family and friends in the Rendezvous Lounge or hotel restaurants upon notifying
a member of the Nisei Week Queen Committee. Candidates may not leave the hotel without prior permission.
Please remember the following:
- Be considerate of roommates (e.g., do not keep late hours);
- Do not allow anyone in hotel rooms except members of the Nisei Week Queen Committee;
- Do not use the room telephone excessively;
- Candidates must stay at the hotel every night except when granted leave; and
- Candidates must pay for incidental expenses upon checking out of the hotel.
- Travel [back to top]
- Each year, the Nisei Week Court is invited to represent the Nisei Week Foundation during festivals in Nagoya,
Japan, Hawaii, Seattle and San Francisco. The Nisei Week Queen will typically have certain travel expenses,
such as airfare and hotel, paid for by the Nisei Week Foundation. The 1st Princess, Miss Tomodachi and
Princesses are also invited to attend, but are responsible for their own travel expenses.
- Parents are invited to travel with the Nisei Week Court to Nagoya, Japan and Hawaii.
- It is a privilege, not a right, to be invited to attend these various festivals. Anyone traveling with the
Nisei Week group (including parents) must adhere to the Nisei Week schedule and must travel and stay with the group.
- The Nisei Week group is typically "hosted" by business groups (Japan) and hospitality committees (San Francisco,
Hawaii, Seattle) in each city. These relationships have been developed over time and it is requested that all members
who travel with the Nisei Week group respect the time and effort expended by all such hosting parties.
- Please remember the following:
- Show consideration to all hosts;
- Adhere to the planned schedule in each city;
- Attend all pre-trip meetings;
- Adhere to the dress code for each event; and
- Families and court members must be responsible for their own costs of travel, hotel and incidentals.
- Expenses [back to top]
- Throughout the year, each Candidate may incur additional expenses, including but not limited to:
- Parking;
- Gas;
- Thank you cards and notes;
- Postage;
- Gifts;
- Undergarments;
- Shoes;
- Additional attire as the Nisei Week Court chooses; and
- Food (for Sayonara Party and Opening Ceremonies).
- Gifts/Awards [back to top]
- Each Candidate will receive a number of items from the Nisei Week Foundation including, but not limited to,
a sash, crown, formal gown and business attire. These items will be provided to each Candidate as a
representative of the Nisei Week Foundation and the Nisei Week Japanese Festival and once provided, each
Candidate will be responsible to take care of these items. In the event of loss or extreme wear, it will
be the Candidate's responsibility to replace the item.
- In the event a Candidate decides to forfeit her participation as a Nisei Week Court member or is unable to
fulfill her duties, all these items must be returned to the Nisei Week Foundation.
- Miscellaneous [back to top]
- All Candidates are required to live in the Southern California area until the following year's Nisei Week
Coronation Ball.
- Candidates are required to sell tickets for the Nisei Week Coronation Ball and Nisei Week Fashion Show.
All funds will be collected by each Candidate and checks made payable to the Nisei Week Foundation. Please
coordinate the selling of these tickets with your Sponsor.
- As a representative of the Nisei Week Foundation and the Nisei Week Japanese Festival, each Candidate will
receive many gifts, lunches and dinners. Each Candidate will be expected to write thank you notes to everyone
from whom gifts are received, as well as to those who dedicated their time and energy to the Nisei Week Japanese
Festival. This is a very important part of each Candidate's responsibility that will enable future candidates
to benefit from the Nisei Week Foundation and Nisei Week Japanese Festival's supporters. Please keep a daily
list of gifts received and the contact person in the notebook provided by the Nisei Week Queen Committee.
- The members of the Nisei Week Court are not permitted to wear their crowns or sashes or otherwise represent
the Nisei Week Foundation or the Nisei Week Japanese Festival in any way unless approved by the Nisei Week
Queen Committee. This includes any fundraising event for the Nisei Week Japanese Festival and any Sponsor.
As representatives of the Nisei Week Foundation, the Nisei Week Court is excluded from any personal fundraising
unless approved by the Nisei Week Queen Committee.
- Each year, the Nisei Week Court plans the following events:
- Sayonara Party: Thank you party in late August or early September to thank Sponsors and the
Nisei Week Japanese Festival participants. The Nisei Week Queen Committee will coordinate with the
Nisei Week Court to compile a mailing list;
- Opening Ceremonies: Introduction of the new Nisei Week Queen candidates. The current Nisei
Week Court is requested to host the event and the current Nisei Week Queen acts as Mistress of Ceremonies; and
- Party for Hawaii Cherry Blossom Festival.
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