The Champions from Ginowan Senior High School

Sept 19, Kadena High School, Kadena AFB - More than 80 students from local Okinawan High Schools and DoDDS' Kadena High School on Kadena Air Force Base spent their Saturday considering the words "Yes We Can" and creating their own unique artistic visions of those words as a part of the Second Annual Okinawan American Manga Contest.

Like sporting exchanges in which young athletes learn about one another during athletic competition, this event fostered international understanding through a competition that featured teams of young artists working against the clock to complete an original work of art in the Japanese comic book style of art known as "Manga."

Beginning with just a blank sheet of poster board and a theme, the students worked throughout the day in order to complete their projects in time for the 3:30 p.m. deadline. After time was called, the students formally presented their works to the entire group and explained how they had addressed the theme. Then everyone voted to determine the final results.

While the results were being tabulated, the students enjoyed a well earned dinner of pizza and submarine sandwiches. They also took the opportunity to get to know their competitors, often breaking into small groups where they exchanged artistic tips with one another. After dinner, the results were announced:

1st Runner-up: Okinawa Shogaku Senior High School

2nd Runner-up: Kadena High School B

Special Award: International Design Academy

Working on the Manga art in the studio