Head bowed, eyes closed, expressionless, silent. In between driving an ASNE participant to the drugstore and preparing the bio for the next day’s speaker, 19-year-old Hannah Hart, assistant coordinator for the ASNE journalism institute, sat across from me with her lasagna lunch, carefully shaded under a small, sweeping tree. It was obvious that the prayer offered was a bit longer—perhaps more reverent—than merely, “Rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub.”
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Hannah is the middle daughter of three girls. Older sister, Naomi, 22, a fresh graduate from UC Santa Cruz, was recently accepted into Santa Clara Law School. Hannah is quick to show off a portrait of her 8-year-old sister Maggie whose image resides on Hannah’s cell phone. Although she lives an hour away from her sisters, Hannah maintains close relations with both.
Hannah was the editor-in-chief of her high school yearbook and copy editor for her school newspaper; however, she has no aspirations in journalism. Instead, the high school activity most closely associated with her life goal is when she and her friends created the Samurai Club. For the lifespan of her club (two weeks), she and her friends admired Japanese culture and carried around the code of the Samurai guidebook.
Because of Director Marcia Parker’s hip surgery, Hannah’s job description of assistant coordinator for the ASNE institute became very diverse. Basically, Hannah did anything and everything that Marcia needed. Her responsibilities included contacting participants, stuffing bags, making copies, emptying trash bags, supplying food and providing drinks.
Hannah has enjoyed working for the institute this summer.
“This is the best job I’ve ever had. The J school is more than generous. Their academic prowess is only second to their inborn generosity.” Hannah’s favorite part of the job was meeting all the teachers and interacting with the staff at the J school.
Former supervisor Lanita Pace-Hinton, director of career services, has nothing but praise for Hannah.
“She’s such a sweetheart.” Described as a member of the J School family, Hannah is a “bright, enthusiastic” student and, according to Pace-Hinton, “an example of what you hope to see in the undergraduate program.”
Although seemingly far from journalism, Hannah’s goal today is to learn Japanese and do translating work. To that end, Hannah has decided to study abroad for a six months in Japan starting in July. As a student in Berkeley’s Intensive Language and Culture Program, Hannah will live by herself in a single apartment. She will be responsible for feeding herself and doing all of her own grocery shopping. Having never left home or the United States before, Hannah is slightly nervous but hopeful about her journey abroad.
Hannah’s love for Japan began at an early age. As a young child, she remembers the jealously of watching her Japanese classmate Ysuke eat his perfectly square cucumber sandwiches at lunch. More than wanting the sandwich, Hannah wanted everything that the sandwich embodied. Perhaps too young to know at the time, Hannah would grow to deeply respect and honor this culture that had had to endure much to rebuild its country and soul after the turmoil of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Being raised by TV, Hannah invested many hours viewing “anime,” Japanese cartoons. Her childhood favorite was “Sailor Moon.” Hannah enjoyed Japanese programming because plot lines and thematic development was sophisticated. Hannah’s more current favorite is “Mai Hime.” Her reasons for enjoying this animation is the same as when she was a child. “It moves my soul,” says Hannah.
In a few short weeks, Hannah will board a plane, which will transverse many lands and seas to deposit her in a strange country. With a year’s worth of Japanese under her belt, she leaves for the exciting immersion in samurai movies, meticulous gardens and scrumptious sushi. Hannah also leaves with a gift allowed to a privileged few—she gets to watch her childhood hobby become her lifelong passion.