The 2024 SJA Mine Sasaguri Award Winner: Naoko Kamioka
SJA is pleased to announce the winner of the 2024 SJA Founder Mine Sasaguri Award: Naoko Kamioka! Congratulations, Naoko-san! おめでとうございます！
Naoko Kamioka has been a volunteer with SJA and our first official partner since 2021. She is a key member of our origami team, always there at events and leading our monthly origami classes. Additionally, Naoko helped us build a great partnership with AALEAD.
She has brought so much to our community with her artistic talent and by making connections that really support our mission. Her passion for sharing Japanese culture through origami has touched a lot of people. Over the years, she has put in countless hours perfecting her craft and sharing it with others. You will often find Naoko at our events and community gatherings, where her origami workshops are a hit with folks of all ages. In this year, she has volunteered at Sakura Matsuri, Pink in the Pool, Asian Festival on Main, AAPI month events in Annandale, AAPI night market at the Vice President’s residence, the Japanese Embassy annual event, and more. She has attended many of our events in the past years, needless to say.
Naoko always wears a smile that lights up every effort she makes, even when results aren’t immediate. Her impact on our community runs deep. She’s all about teamwork and is committed to sharing cultures and promoting peace-making through origami. Naoko’s influence goes beyond SJA. She’s dedicated to spreading Japanese culture in the DMV area, especially among kids from low-income backgrounds and refugee communities.
Naoko embodies our values of volunteering and sharing cultures. Her enthusiasm not only inspires those around her but also helps us grow appreciation for Japanese culture. As we celebrate Naoko Kamioka’ s contributions, let’s honor her as a source of inspiration and gratitude within and beyond the SJA family.
Congratulations and thank you to Naoko Kamioka! SJA is honored by your dedication and looks forward to continuing to work with you!