KEY PEOPLE
Pure Professionalism & Enthusiasm
Our dedicated team are always on the ball, utilizing their unique skills and passion to move JNHS forward. Meet some of our incredible leaders below!
WILBER HUANG
Co-President
Grade: 12th grade/senior year
I have been learning Japanese for 3 years, but as a kid I’ve always been interested with the culture. My first exposure to Japanese culture was with this show called YU-GI-OH. Ever since then, my brothers had constantly exposed me to Japanese shows, culture, and language. As a result, my aspiration for Japanese grew from my constant exposure to it.
My favorite activity from JNHS is JAFF because of how many students attend and having the opportunity to expose the Japanese culture to others.
RICKY O'HARA
Co-President
Hi there I’m Ricky O’Hara, co president of JNHS. I’m a senior at LG and have been studying for Japanese for about 3 years. I initially chose Japanese because I wasn’t too interested in the Spanish program but came to fall in love with the community and language as a whole. One of my favorite things to do for JNHS is baking cookies!
ATSUYA KASHIMA
Secretary
Hey, I’m Atsuya and your officer of JNHS. I was born in Tokyo, Japan and I moved to the US when I was around 5 years old. I joined this club to further spread my own culture to many other students intetested in the Japanese culture! I hope to work with many of you throughout the year!!
FUYU BANNO
Treasurer
Hi my name is Fuyu and I’m a junior taking AP Japanese. I decided to take the class to improve my Japanese skills as well as to learn more about the culture. One of my favorite things to do as part of JNHS is helping out with the cooking classes hosted by Kobayashi Sensei!
ANUSHA ADHYA
Media & Communications
Hey there, my name is Anusha! I am currently a Senior at Los Gatos High School and I have been in the Japanese program for the past 3 years. I was intially drawn to Japanese because I was intruiged by the unique culture, and I'm super glad I've stuck with it! JNHS has been one of my favorite communities at LGHS, as I have met so many new friends and upperclassmen that are extremely inspiring. I hope through JNHS the rest of the board and I are able to spread this wonderful community to others in LG.
KARIS CHAN
Event Planning Chair
Hi! I’m Karis Chan and I’m currently a senior at Los Gatos High School. I’ve been learning Japanese for 4 years and I enjoy getting to learn about Japanese culture. My favorite part of JNHS is the tight knit community and how I’ve met some of my closest friends from this club.
KOBAYASHI SENSEI
Advisor
Welcome to our JNHS website! Our JNHS is a student-led organization where everyone engages in getting to know each other through organizing activities and events to promote the joy of learning Japanese language and culture. I am a proud Advisor of this amazing club!
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JORDAN SENSEI
Founder of LGHS Chapter, Past Advisor, Supporter Forever
I was born in Oklahoma, raised bilingually and bi-culturally in Japan and the U.S. After graduating from Sophia University in Tokyo, I returned to California and began teaching in the Salinas Valley, where I spent the first half of my career before coming to LGHS. The two communities were different in so many ways, but the students in both places had one key thing in common-their enthusiasm for learning and experiencing Japanese language and culture!
One source of great pride and joy was to start the Japanese program at Los Gatos High School in 2001 and to see it thrive and grow in wonderful new ways under the guidance of Hara sensei and Kobayashi sensei. After retirement, I continue to stay involved in Japanese language education as president of the American Association of Teachers of Japanese and as a coach and advisor for the J-LEAP program. I love visiting Japanese classrooms all over the U.S. and using the experience and skills I gained teaching high school students to help teachers. And I especially love coming back to LG and helping out as “team mom” for the Japanese classes!