Newsletter: 2024 June
Hello all!
Summer is here and we are gearing up for a busy busy June! Check out what the JETAARM and Japan adjacent community are up to this month.
Upcoming Activities
2024 Cherry Blossom Festival
Join fellow JET alumni in representing the JET Program at the 50th Annual Cherry Blossom festival at Sakura Square on June 22-23!
Volunteer sign-up for the festival is now open! Please fill out the google form to sign-up.
We'd love to have you join us! Come share your experiences on JET with future JETS, meet fellow alumni and enjoy the festival!
Pika Kai Happy Hour
Join us for a Pika Kai Happy Hour
When: Saturday, June 15th at 3:30pm
Where: Milepost Zero Food Hall at McGregor Square!
Come share your experience on JET with the 2024 departing JETs and meet fellow Alumni! (This happy hour is taking place directly after the JET Orientation for newly departing JETs). If you would like to join us, please fill out the google form so that we may save you a seat!
Upcoming USJETAA Events
If you’re not already subscribed, sign up for the email version of the USJETAA newsletter for JET-related news & events.
Be sure to check out the Upcoming Events page
Community Activities
Japanese Self-Study in Denver
Did you know that there’s not one but TWO meetups for practicing Japanese with fellow Japanese learners in the Denver area? Allow us to introduce each one:
The Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC) - JASC hosts this bi-weekly gathering for native and non-native Japanese speakers to use their language skills in a relaxed space. If you don't use it, you lose it! Don’t miss the two upcoming dates:
When: June 8th and 22nd @ 10:00 AM
Where: Edgewater Public Market
More Info: Click here for additional information.
Japanese Self Study Group — If you’re interested in getting out to study Japanese in a group of likeminded and motivated individuals, this is your chance! Please note this is a self-study group, which means you bring your own materials to study.
Next study group date is 6/4 at 6:00 pm
Join the Group — To get involved join their FB group here!
Recent Events
Shinnenkai
On February 22nd, JETAARM hosted its annual Shinnenkai. With over 50 attendees it was JETAARM’s largest alumni gathering since the COVID Pandemic. JETAARM was honored by the attendance of Consul General Mikami Yoichi and staff from the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver. JET Alumni dined on sushi and other Japanese goodies, had a Sake toast, and joined together for the traditional dance of Yamagata-ken led by former Yamagata-ken JET and current JETAARM Secretary Christy Go. Seeing so many JET alumni gathered for a wonderful evening was great!
CG Returnee Reception
On March 1st, JETAARM was honored to receive the Consul-General of Japan in Denver Certificate of Commendation “In recognition of its distinguished service in contributing to the deepening of understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States of America.” In celebration of this honor, Consul-General Yoichi Mikami hosted JET Alumni and other notable people from the local community at his residence. In his acceptance remarks, JETAARM President David LaCharite thanked “current chapter officers, past chapter officers, and all JET alumni in the Rocky Mountain region who everyday use their JET experience to build ties between Japan and the Rocky Mountain region and contribute to grassroots internationalization in their daily work and lives.” JETAARM is extremely grateful that the Consul-General has recognized its work in the community and looks forward to working closely with the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver to promote Japan and the JET Program in our region.
JETAARM Winter Getaway
On the weekend of February 16th-20th JETAARM hosted its 2nd Annual (1st since 2019) All-Chapter Winter Getaway. JET Alumni representing four chapters and flying in from both coasts gathered at Keystone Ski Resort in Colorado for a weekend of downhill and x-country skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, enjoying good food and drink, playing games, and reminiscing on Japan. Special thanks to Charles St. John for organizing this incredible gathering and the family of Alexa Schwartz for their generosity in providing their home for the weekend. From this weekend, JETAARM raised funds to support future community activities. We hope you will join us next year!
JETAARM Board Meeting
On May 23rd we held our inaugural 2024 FY JETAARM Board Meeting to finalize our annual budget and start planning events for the year. In clockwise order starting from the front of the image:
Avery Truman - Events Coordinator
Joe Migano - Webmaster
Brad Breiten - Vice President
David LaCharite - President
Elaine Martinez - Treasurer
Christy Go - Secretary
We are all incredibly excited to see many of you over the next year and to continue to foster grassroots connections between Japan and the Rocky Mountain region through our JET Program experiences.
Thanks For Reading!
Have Something to Share?
Feel free to reach out to us by email or on Facebook! This space is open to all - if you have an upcoming event, an essay, a review, an amazing photo, or anything else you want to share, send it to editor@jetaarockymountain.org with the subject "Newsletter Idea."
