Prize-winning works in the “Photo and Essay Division” for high school students of the 31st Yomiuri Photo Grand Prix

My Classmate,Working Class President / Ishizaka Takahiro (Saitama)

Message from the photographer

Going to part-time (teiji sei) high school, you have to deal with all kinds of stuff. There are plenty of things I don’t like about it, and balancing work and study is really hard. When I first started, all I could think of was quitting. I pitied myself. I had problems at home and an endless list of woes.
But, you know, it’s up to you, in the end. That’s what I think, after talking to a lot of different people and listening to their stories. I realize we all have different values. And there you were, doing your best; you gave me lots of strength. Thank you! I’m glad I came to Kumagaya Part-time High School and I was lucky I met you. I hope your plan to become a nurse works out!

About the subject

My subject is my classmate, a fourth-year student at my part-time high school. Our class was 28 when we entered but has dwindled to just three: her, me, and one other student. Watching her try taking up the challenge of different things at school, even while keeping up her job, made me want to document her story.