Vote Today!
It takes LESS THAN 1 MINUTE!
Voting closes Sunday, January 27 at 11:55 PM. Any votes received after this date will be discounted.
VOTING ELIGIBILITY
- ONLY former JET Participants and Registered Members of Florida JETAA are eligible to vote. To Register: https://floridajetaa.org/about/joining-florida-jetaa/
- “Friends of JET” are not eligible to cast a vote.
Your vote will be kept confidential. Only the current Florida JETAA President, Lauren Sorondo (not running for re-election), will see your vote. We ask for personal information to verify that you are a JET alumnus.
Nominee Platforms
President
“GIGI” ROSS
My name is Geri Ross, but most call me GiGi. I was a municipal ALT from 2017-2018 in the tiny Kyoto town of Ujitawara-cho, the birthplace of green tea. My hobbies include traveling and singing karaoke, so I look forward to volunteering at events around the state and organizing some group karaoke sessions.
Prior to JET, I was an Asian Studies major at FIU and had visited Japan four times, twice on study abroad programs and twice on sponsorship for winning essay and speech contests. I was also the first recipient of the Omar K. Carrion Memorial Scholarship in honor of another JET alum who tragically passed away in 2013.
I credit JETAA members and events for my initial interest in the JET Program; it was former Florida chapter President Bahia Simons-Lane who first inspired me to apply. Because of the JETAA friends I made as an undergrad, I knew even before my program started that I wanted to be an active member of JETAA when I returned.
My current work is not related to Japan, so I view this position as a way to stay involved with Japan and express my passion for the JET Program. I hope to not only support current JET alumni, but also inspire future JET participants to apply. I believe that my high energy and forward momentum will be great assets to the Florida chapter.
Vice President
ALLAN MORDETSKY
Greetings and Salutations FLJETAA!
I’ve had the pleasure of being our Vice President and enjoyed it so much I’m running again. I remember being in Japan and many people, some whom I didn’t know, helped me on my journey and time in my second home. Now, I pay it forward in FLJETAA helping our organization and supporting our President, officers, and Jetlings. I hope to continue helping and ask that you consider me for VP during this election. Take care ya’ll and hope to see you soon!
LESLIE WIER
Leslie was a High School ALT on JET from 2013 – 2017 in Hiroshima City. While there, she also served as the National AJET Director of Professional and Education development for the 2015-2016 term. Following her return to the U.S., she completed a Master’s in Education from the University of Missouri in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology. She now works as a health coach for a quickly growing start-up.
Since her return, she has served Florida JETAA by delivering JET information sessions at Florida universities and volunteering on the committee for the organizations first Professional Development Workshop. Leslie has a passion for contributing to organizations with a focus on positivity, transparency, and growth. She’s excited for the opportunity to contribute to Florida JETAA as its VP and looks forward to helping it grow into an organization that provides comprehensive support for Florida JET Alumni.
Webmaster
GABRIELA CUEVAS
My name is Gabriela S. Cuevas. I was in Niigata Prefecture, 2017-2018. I’m currently a store manager. I enjoy spending time with my family. I’m very passionate about movies. I try to go almost every week to the movie theater. I’m a big foodie and enjoy discovering new restaurants.
LISA PLAY
Lisa Play is a recent JET returnee after spending two years in Haha Matsu, Shizuoka Prefecture from 2016 to 2018. As Webmaster, Lisa strives to provide relevant and meaningful posts that keep Florida JET alumni connected to fellow JET alumi, their Japanese communities, and ongoing cultural activities throughout the state. An aspiring librarian, she is aware of how stories can bring together communities and motivate them towards future endeavors. Lisa lives in Tallahassee, where she is pursuing her Master in Information Studies.
Go for Broke! – The Nisei Soldier Legacy of World War II
Education, Florida EventsGo for Broke! – The Nisei Soldier Legacy of World War II
Dec 1, 2021 07:00 PM EST
Join JETAA Florida for an important discussion on the legacy of the Japanese Americans (“Nisei”) who served in the US military during World War II amidst strong anti-Japanese feelings in America after the Pearl Harbor attack. In this webinar, Hawaii-based entrepreneur Stacey Hayashi will discuss her manga, “Journey of Heroes” about the 100/442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), and the movie that she produced, “Go for Broke! An Origin Story” (Best Hawaiian Film, 2017 and 2018 Feature Film). She will be joined by General David A. Bramlett (US Army, Ret.) and Tokuji Yoshihashi (US Army, Ret.), who bravely served in the all-Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment.
Register for the Event Here!
Want to Join the Florida JETAA Board? Keep reading!
JET Alumni, JET Programme, Job OpeningsHello Florida JET alumni!
The Florida JETAA is proud to wish our current Secretary Kyle Litow well as he pursues new opportunities in New York City this summer! As such, the Board is looking to welcome an interim Secretary in the coming weeks. Further details on the interim Secretary position are described below.
The interim Secretary shall keep minutes during Board meetings and disseminate information to all Board of Directors, assist with scheduling quarterly board meetings (held online), maintain FLJETAA documents, vote on issues presented to the Board of Directors, and represent Florida JETAA at a minimum of one (1) yearly event (if possible in your local region). The Secretary will also collaborate with the President and Information Officer to create and distribute an annual report on the chapter’s activities to all FLJETAA members.
ETA: This interim position falls in line with the regular election cycle and a regular Secretary will be elected in the upcoming elections.
We welcome applications from any JET alumni currently living in the state of Florida. Interested individuals can reach Kyle at fljetaasecretary@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you about joining our time!
Support the 501c3 Non-Profit Fundraiser
Florida JETAA News, FundraisingWe’re growing, and we need your help!
In the past few years, Florida JETAA has been growing quickly! Within the last year alone, we’ve had a successful JET 30 Reunion & Networking event, as well as our inaugural Career Development Workshop. We would like to continue expanding the programing we offer our members, but we need your help!
Unlike many organizations, we do not collect membership dues. We rely heavily on grants to conduct our events, but we’re limited in that area since we’re only a state non-profit. To expand our options, we’re now pursing 501c3 Non-Profit status! Attaining 501c3 will make us elligible for more grants, exempt JETAA-FL from taxes, and make any donations made to our organization tax deductible.
Our Goal: $300.00 by February 28!
The application for the 501c3 Certificate is expensive. We already have half of the funds necessary, and the documents are ready to go. We understand that not everyone may be in the financial position to donate right now, but we would be so grateful for any amount you can donate to help us meet this goal.
Thank you for being a valued member – we’re counting on your help in expanding the scope and possibilities of Florida JETAA!
2019 Election Results – JETAA-FL Board
Florida Events, Florida JETAA News, JET AlumniThe results are in.
We have three newly-elected members to the Florida JETAA board. They are:
President: Gigi Ross
Vice President: Allan Mordetsky (will be returning for another term)
Webmaster: Lisa Play
Congratulations!
Thank you to all of our candidates for participating in this election and offering your time and talent to Florida JETAA. Also, appreciation is extended to our members who voted.
Our current President and Webmaster are busy preparing for the upcoming transition. Stay tuned!
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
2019 Elections – JETAA-FL Board
Florida JETAA News, JET AlumniVote Today!
It takes LESS THAN 1 MINUTE!
Voting closes Sunday, January 27 at 11:55 PM. Any votes received after this date will be discounted.
VOTING ELIGIBILITY
Your vote will be kept confidential. Only the current Florida JETAA President, Lauren Sorondo (not running for re-election), will see your vote. We ask for personal information to verify that you are a JET alumnus.
Nominee Platforms
President
My name is Geri Ross, but most call me GiGi. I was a municipal ALT from 2017-2018 in the tiny Kyoto town of Ujitawara-cho, the birthplace of green tea. My hobbies include traveling and singing karaoke, so I look forward to volunteering at events around the state and organizing some group karaoke sessions.
Prior to JET, I was an Asian Studies major at FIU and had visited Japan four times, twice on study abroad programs and twice on sponsorship for winning essay and speech contests. I was also the first recipient of the Omar K. Carrion Memorial Scholarship in honor of another JET alum who tragically passed away in 2013.
I credit JETAA members and events for my initial interest in the JET Program; it was former Florida chapter President Bahia Simons-Lane who first inspired me to apply. Because of the JETAA friends I made as an undergrad, I knew even before my program started that I wanted to be an active member of JETAA when I returned.
My current work is not related to Japan, so I view this position as a way to stay involved with Japan and express my passion for the JET Program. I hope to not only support current JET alumni, but also inspire future JET participants to apply. I believe that my high energy and forward momentum will be great assets to the Florida chapter.
Vice President
Greetings and Salutations FLJETAA!
I’ve had the pleasure of being our Vice President and enjoyed it so much I’m running again. I remember being in Japan and many people, some whom I didn’t know, helped me on my journey and time in my second home. Now, I pay it forward in FLJETAA helping our organization and supporting our President, officers, and Jetlings. I hope to continue helping and ask that you consider me for VP during this election. Take care ya’ll and hope to see you soon!
Leslie was a High School ALT on JET from 2013 – 2017 in Hiroshima City. While there, she also served as the National AJET Director of Professional and Education development for the 2015-2016 term. Following her return to the U.S., she completed a Master’s in Education from the University of Missouri in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology. She now works as a health coach for a quickly growing start-up.
Since her return, she has served Florida JETAA by delivering JET information sessions at Florida universities and volunteering on the committee for the organizations first Professional Development Workshop. Leslie has a passion for contributing to organizations with a focus on positivity, transparency, and growth. She’s excited for the opportunity to contribute to Florida JETAA as its VP and looks forward to helping it grow into an organization that provides comprehensive support for Florida JET Alumni.
Webmaster
My name is Gabriela S. Cuevas. I was in Niigata Prefecture, 2017-2018. I’m currently a store manager. I enjoy spending time with my family. I’m very passionate about movies. I try to go almost every week to the movie theater. I’m a big foodie and enjoy discovering new restaurants.
Lisa Play is a recent JET returnee after spending two years in Haha Matsu, Shizuoka Prefecture from 2016 to 2018. As Webmaster, Lisa strives to provide relevant and meaningful posts that keep Florida JET alumni connected to fellow JET alumi, their Japanese communities, and ongoing cultural activities throughout the state. An aspiring librarian, she is aware of how stories can bring together communities and motivate them towards future endeavors. Lisa lives in Tallahassee, where she is pursuing her Master in Information Studies.
JET Alumni Interview Greeters Wanted!
Consulate Communications, JET Alumni, JET ProgrammeMiami’s JET Interviews will be from January 28-February 5 (no weekends). We need at least one person each day to be a greeter, talk with the interviewees in the lobby, and answer questions about JET while they wait. Our office will provide lunch and a parking validation for our building’s garage. Please PM me if interested!!!
Outside Inside – A Century of East Asian Landscapes 1900s-2000s
Consulate Communications, Florida Events, Japan Connections3259 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611
David A. Cofrin Asian Art Wing, North Gallery
Yayoi Kusama: LOVE IS CALLING | Tampa Museum of Art
Florida Events, Japan Connections120 W. Gasparilla Plaza
Tampa, FL 33602
Exhibition Description: The Tampa Museum of Art is pleased to present Yayoi Kusama’s LOVE IS CALLING, one of the artist’s iconic Infinity Rooms, on loan from the Vinik Family Foundation Collection. An immersive, experiential work of art, LOVE IS CALLING invites visitors to enter a mirrored room with tentacle-like soft sculptures hanging from the ceiling and positioned on the floor. These forms glow with changing colors and feature Kusama’s signature polka dots. Mirrored walls create a kaleidoscopic effect, with the reflected imagery of the tentacles seemingly extending into infinite space. Visitors hear audio of the artist reciting a love poem in Japanese as they walk throughout the installation.
Yayoi Kusama (Japanese, b. 1929) is one of today’s most recognized and celebrated artists. In addition to her widely popular Infinity Rooms, such as LOVE IS CALLING, Kusama creates vibrant paintings, works on paper, and sculpture with abstract imagery. Her artwork has been shown and collected by leading institutions across the globe and she is considered “the world’s most popular artist.” A comprehensive retrospective, organized by the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC, is currently travelling around the US and Canada. In October 2017, the Yayoi Kusama Museum opened in Tokyo. The artist lives and works in Tokyo.
Exhibition description by Tampa Museum of Art
Japanese Pottery Artist Presents History Of Kogei
Consulate Communications, Education, Florida Events, Japan ConnectionsPresentation Topic: The Consulate-General of Japan in Miami presents a series of lectures by renowned Japanese pottery artist Ohi Toshio Chozaemon XI on Wednesday, January 23.
Mr. Ohi will host “The Spirit of Japanese Craftsmanship (Kogei) and Tea Ceremony” at 10 a.m. at Florida International University, located in the College of Business room CBC R233 at 11200 S.W. 8th Street in Miami, and at 3:30 p.m. at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach. Admission to the lecture at FIU is free. The lecture at Morikami is free with paid museum admission.
Born in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Mr. Ohi is the 11th generation in a family of potters known for “Ohi Yaki” pottery, a traditional style of Raku ware dating back more than 350 years. Raku is a type of pottery customarily used in Japanese tea ceremonies. Therefore, most “Ohi Yaki” consists of tea utensils and bowls.
The Ohi method of pottery-making involves using soft clay soil, shaping the piece by hand, coating with a ceramic glaze and firing in a kiln at low temperatures. The pieces are often removed from the kiln while still glowing hot and then allowed to cool in the open air, resulting in fairly porous vessels. The final distinctive glaze is meant to contrast with the powdered green tea used in tea ceremonies.
In conjunction with “The Spirit of Japanese Craftsmanship (Kogei) and Tea Ceremony” at FIU and Morikami, Mr. Ohi will lead two full-day, hands-on pottery workshops at the Ceramic League of Miami on January 21 and 22. Both workshops are sold out.
Mr. Ohi is a proponent of Kogei, a highly-regarded Japanese art form that combines form and function, bringing beauty to everyday objects such as ceramics, lacquer designs, silk fabrics and more. Ohi transcends the physical and cultural boundaries of Kogei by promoting its discourse beyond Japan through his partnerships with universities, cultural organizations and ceramic programs around the world.
Presentation description by the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami
Japanese comic storytelling – Rakugo Performance by Yanagiya Tozaburo III – January 14, 2019
Consulate Communications, Florida Events, Japan Connections