JASH APCC Alumna Joanna Sato Selected for Special Peace Ambassador Program

The Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) is excited to announce Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC) Alumna Joanna Sato has been selected to represent JASH and the Bridge Club of Hawaii (BCH) in the APCC’s Special Peace Ambassador Program for 2024. Joanna originally participated in the APCC as a Junior Ambassador in 2018. 

Introducing 2024 Peace Ambassador Joanna Sato (JA 2018)

What is the Special Peace Ambassador Program?

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the APCC has been unable to convene its annual JA and PA programs in Fukuoka, and instead connected youth through Zoom workshops. As international travel restrictions begin to ease, the APCC created a Special Peace Ambassador Program for 2022 to be held in Fukuoka in late October 2022. The aim of the Special PA Program is to enhance participants’ skills to lead their local Bridge Clubs, with the ultimate goal in fostering them as Global BRIDGE Leaders.”

The APCC Alumna Joanna Sato (2018) will represent JASH and BC Hawaii in the Special Peace Ambassador Program in 2024. In preparing for the program, Joanna would like to share the following message with all of our JASH supporters:

Hello everyone! My name is Joanna Sato; I am 16 years old and a Junior at Punahou School. In March of 2018, I was selected to be a Junior Ambassador for the 30th Annual Asian- Pacific Children’s Convention, or the APCC in Fukuoka, Japan. Needless to say, I was thrilled to be chosen along with five other students to travel out of the country, without my family, to meet other children from the Asia-Pacific region! My 10-year-old self didn’t know how impactful those two weeks in Japan would be on my life.

Joanna (top row, second left) playing with her roomates from Myanmar

In Fukuoka, our roommates were from Myanmar. We would constantly play games together and talk all night despite our language differences. We shared stories about family, school life, and cultural traditions. I remember performing hula for them and they showed us their traditional clothing packed in their suitcases. As time goes on, my memories grow a little more blurry, but I’ll never forget the many rounds of tag, cards, and pillow fights. 

However, the strongest relationship I had coming out of the APCC would be with my host sister, Gaia. She was half-Japanese and half-Italian, which allowed me to have a diverse cultural experience during my stay! Gaia’s family, teachers, and classmates were all so friendly and patient when I struggled to communicate. When the last day of the trip came around, I remember feeling so sad to leave the Hirata family! During our birthdays and the holiday season, we always call each other. 

Joanna (top row, second left) watching the fireworks with her host sister and friends

Thanks to JASH and APCC, my interest in global studies was created! When I first entered Punahou, I started to become more involved with our Wo International Center through the Geography Club and my Japanese class. I continue to work in leading the Filipino Club and attending heritage conferences. As I think about my future, I remind myself to keep in touch with my passion for Global learning and how I can create life-changing experiences for others as JASH did for me.

This summer, I plan to travel back to Japan as a Peace Ambassador or PA. I attended virtual camps this past fall with all the other PAs to create goals to improve and strengthen our Bridge Clubs. Many of our goals surrounded increasing participation and strengthening the bonds between the younger JA generation. Bridge Club Hawaii has helped me through their supportive community and I would now like to use this experience to give back to them.