From left to right:  Pamela Valentine, Katie, Kim, Selena, Dustin, Halley, Ricky, and Josiah

Kim

Hello.  My name is Kimberly.  I am seventeen years old.  I like to read.  I also like to talk to friends.  My favorite color is blue.  I have two sisters.  They are in college.  I also have a dog.  Her name is Zoe.  My mother’s name is Nancy.  I hope to talk to you soon!

Konnich wa.  Watashi no namae wa Grojean desu.  Watashi wa jyuunana nensai desu.  Watashi wa tomadachi ni itai yomitai suki desu.  Watashi no ichiban iro wa ao suki desu.  Watashi wa ni ane imasu.  Kanojyotachi wa daigaku ni ikimasu.  Watashi mo inu ga hikitsugimasu.  Kanojyo no namae wa Zoe desu.  Watashi no haha no namae wa Nancy desu.  Watashi wa sugu anatatachi ni hanashimasu!

Crystal

Hello. My name is Crystal. I am 16 years old girl living in San Antonio. I live with my mother, father, older sister, and my aunt. I also have a pet cat, a turtle and some fish. I went to Japan about two years ago to Tokyo and Takayama. I had a great time there. I have studied Japanese for three years, but I only know a little Japanese. My hobbies are singing, drawing, dancing, reading, going to the mall, and listening to music.   

Halley

My name is Halley.  I am 16 years old and in 11^th grade at the International School of the Americas.  I live with my mom, step-dad, and two younger brothers.  My youngest brother is three years old and the other is 14 and in 8th grade.  We have a cat, Shadow, and a dog, Sarah.  I enjoy writing stories and reading books.  This year is the first year that participated on the swim team, and I also take guitar once a week.   I just got my drivers license in January.  I am honored to have the opportunity to go to Japan.  For years I have been interested in Japan as a country, a culture, and a people. 

Ricky

Konnichi wa.  Boku no namae wa Ricky desu.  Boku wa jyuuyon nensai desu.

Hi!  My name is Ricky.  I am a 14-year-old boy in San Antonio.  I am in the 9^th grade.  I live with my mom, dad, and my two little brothers.  I like to play soccer and read books.  I have a pet cat, his name is Tempest. I only know a little Japanese.  I am very interested in Japan and I am excited about traveling. 

Katie

Konnichi wa. Watashi no namae wa Katie desu. Watashi wa jyuunanasai desu. Watashi wa jyuuichi nensei desu. Watashi wa kazoku issho ni San Antonio, Texas ni sundeimasu. Watashi wa Nihongo san ni imasu. Watashi no Nihongo wa maamaa desu. Watashi wa baiorin ga hikitai. Watashi no tanjoobi wa jyuuni gatsu, nijyuu hachi nichi. Watashi wa Nihon no tabemono ga tabetai. Nihon gaikitai. Nihon no bunmei wa dai omoshiroi.

Hello. My name is Josiah. I am 17 years old and in the 12th grade. I am in Japanese II. I speak Japanese poorly. I like philosophy and music. My favorite colors are brown and green. I have one little brother. His name is Lucas. My father’s name is Marcus. My mother’s name is Nancy. I also have a dog and a cat. The dog’s name is Woody. The cat’s name is Kozmo. Nice to meet you!

Konnichi wa. Boku no namae wa Josiah desu. Boku wa jyuunanasai desu. Boku wa jyuuni nensei desu. Boku wa Nihongo Ni ni imasu. Boku no Nihongo wa hinjaku o hanashimasu. Boku wa tetsugaku de ongaku ga suki desu. Boku wa ichiban iro wa cha to midori ga suki desu. Boku wa ichi otooto imasu. Kare no namae wa Lucas desu. Boku no chichi no namae wa Marcus desu. Boku no haha no namae wa Nancy desu. Boku mo inu to neko ga hikitsugimasu. Inu no namae wa Woody desu. Neko no namae wa Kozmo desu. Doozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

My name is Dustin and I’m 17 years old. I’m in 12^th grade and a senior in high school.  I love to read and watch television; I also play in the school band.  I live with both my mom and my dad and my 16-year-old sister; I also have two dogs and some fish.

Konnichi wa boku no namae wa Dustin de boku no jyuu nana sai desu. Boku no jyuu ni nensei desu.

Boku wa dokusho to TV mimasu. San nin to inu nihiki