School: Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Grade: Rising 10th grader

Favorite food: Rice

Favorite colors: Stone blue, slate, and Aegean blue

Favorite drink: Arizona green tea

Interests/hobbies: I mainly do digital art on my iPad as well as learning Dutch, playing video games, and watching my favorite shows like Afro Samurai and Aika. When I’m not doing those things, I’ll be practicing my archery skills, poetry, and axe throwing.

Favorite anime shows/movies: Akira, Aika, Afro Samurai, Dragon Ball Z, Kangan Ashura, Momonuke, Demon Slayer, A Lull in the Sea and Blue Period, and YuYu Hakusho.

Aspirations: My biggest desire is to explore countries that aren’t in North America or Central America. Ever since I was three, I’ve always told silly stories about my family being from Asia because that’s how much I love their culture. (I spoke Chinese at one point.) Exploring more cultures as well as expanding my knowledge on the cultures I already know will be a dream come true.

Why Japan in DC? Japan has always been a country that I’ve wanted to explore because I only know a few facts about its history. Being in Japan in DC will really expand my knowledge and allow me to truly understand Japan’s culture.