Congratulations to Masako Tsuoka, the 2020 winner of the Society’s Lily McMahan Outstanding Volunteer Award. Masako has been a dedicated volunteer for our Japan-in-the-Schools program, visiting schools to present our Japan-in-a-Suitcase curriculums to K-12 students throughout the greater Seattle area. She has continued her hard work and dedication by volunteering for our virtual events in 2020 and 2021.

Comments from Masako!

「この度は、Lily McMahanアワードを頂き、誠にありがとうございます。またボランティアの機会を与えて下さった日米協会様にも感謝いたします。

Japan in the Suitcase のプログラムで、学校訪問をさせて頂き、日本に興味を持って参加してくれる子供たちと出会える事はとてもうれしく感じます。私が出来ることは、ほんの些細な事ですが、子供たちにとって何かのきっかけやひとつの経験として残れば幸いです。これからも、日本とアメリカの素晴らしい関係が続きますようお祈りしています。」

津岡昌子

“Thank you for honoring me with the Lily McMahan award. I would like to thank the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington for giving me the opportunity to volunteer.   

I am so happy and grateful for the opportunity to visit schools and meet participating children who are interested in Japan through the Japan-in-a-Suitcase program.  My contribution is small but if some part of this program leaves a lasting impression on the children who participated, I am happy.  I pray that Japan and the US will continue to have a wonderful friendship.”

Masako Tsuoka

Thank you Masako for your incredible support of Society and students in Washington State!