Nishimachi-Kai 2020 - 2021

Nishimachi-Kai 2020 - 2021 A Year In Review

The Nishimachi-Kai Board of Directors hosted the annual alumni reunion on Saturday, June 19, 2021. Due to the pandemic, the annual courtyard BBQ had to be canceled for the second year in a row. If we wanted to hold a reunion this year, we knew we would have to find a safe and fun way for everyone to get together and decided to host a worldwide reunion by Zoom. The current circumstances gave us the rare opportunity to welcome alumni outside of Japan to our annual get-together for the very first time. More than fifty individuals from Japan and abroad (alumni from every decade starting from the 1950s, alumni parents, and former faculty and staff) joined us.

Participants were able to meet old friends and make new ones during the free talk session. This reunion reminded us once again that, regardless of how much time has passed since any one of us was a student at Nishimachi, fond memories remain, and the school spirit lives on in the alumni community. Despite not seeing each other for decades, we were able to pick up right where we left off, sharing memories and reminiscing about old times. It was wonderful to see many familiar faces.

During the session, Nishimachi’s head of school, Karen O’Neill ‘78, gave us an update on the Matsukata House campaign, a review of the academic year, and a preview of the upcoming school year via video message. The Nishimachi-Kai board also gave an update to the group. Fourteen new graduates are now members of the Nishimachi-Kai. Ten of them spent all ten years at Nishimachi, and so another ten-year veteran, Mai Shoji ’94, was asked to speak at the graduation ceremony and delivered a heartfelt message on behalf of Nishimachi-Kai.

We further announced that the digitalization of the Ayumi is currently underway. Following the lead of our treasurer, Yhu Kuni ’94, the Nishimachi-Kai board is working towards the school’s plan to showcase the digitalized version in the newly renovated Matsukata House.

Finally, we made an announcement concerning upcoming changes to Nishimachi-Kai’s board. I thanked everyone and informed them that I was completing my tenure as chair and passing the baton to Ryoji Kubo ’90. Eisuke Nakajima ’99 is taking over as secretary from Ryoji.

I was pleased that this new reunion format was well received by participants and glad to have had the opportunity to be part of such a memorable event as chair. I hope that many more alumni can join us next time. Thank you to all who participated and to everyone who made this reunion happen.

My gratitude also goes to all those who supported me and Nishimachi-Kai over the years through various events and school activities. I would appreciate your continued support for Nishimachi-Kai.

Sincerely,

Nancy Hashima Chair (2011-2021)