Veronica Toyomi Ota

Veronica attended Pasadena public schools and graduated valedictorian from Marshall Fundamental in 2010. She then attended Tufts University in Boston and received a degree in International Literature and Visual Studies, focusing in Japanese literature and culture.

Veronica credits her family for her early involvement in the Pasadena Japanese-American community. Members of the extended Ota family have owned and operated small businesses in the Pasadena/Altadena area for decades and have also been involved at the First Presbyterian Church of Altadena, Pasadena Buddhist Temple, Pasadena Nikkei Seniors, and PJCI. Thanks to the support of her family and community, Veronica has received many opportunities to grow as a singer, musician, writer, and educator.

After Nisei Week, Veronica took a year-long position as the Choir Director at her alma mater, Marshall. She then set off for a year of teaching in Japan on the JET Program. Now that she’s home, she’s back substitute teaching at Marshall as a middle school math teacher. She is planning to apply to graduate school to pursue a degree that will help her continue in her path as an educator.