It’s very exciting to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Central Kentucky Japanese School this year. It’s hard to believe so much time has past since I was there as a student. My name is Yoshiko Miyakawa. I was a student at the Central Kentucky Japanese School for most of my middle school and high school years (1987-1992). Although it was another day of school, I really looked forward to and enjoyed each Saturday, school work and all. I have many special memories of the Saturdays spent at Japanese school. I was new to the area so my classmates were among my first friends I made in Lexington. The best part about Japanese School was definitely hanging out with my friends. I was born and raised in the United States so the chance to meet people and make friends at this school was very important to me. They are friends I would have never met if I didn’t have the opportunity to attend this school. Unfortunately most have moved back to Japan and we have all gone our separate ways. I still think of the fun times we had together and I will always treasure the memories.

After Japanese School I went to college at the University of Kentucky and graduated with a Bachelor in Nursing. I still live in Lexington and work as a Neonatal/Pediatric Nurse on the Emergency Transport Team at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital. I have a very rewarding and fulfilling job which involves transporting sick babies, mostly premature babies, as well as sick children from other hospitals in Eastern Kentucky back to UK by ambulance or helicopter. I also worked as a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital for four years. I am currently in a long term relationship with the perfect guy and I have a nine year old dog named Taiyo.

With the new facility and increasing number of Japanese families in Lexington, Central Kentucky Japanese School will only continue to grow. I know it will continue to provide excellent education to all students and provide them with opportunities for friendships and memories to last a lifetime. Happy 20th anniversary.

Yoshiko Miyakawa