GCPS students and teachers excel in foreign language competitions
GCPS students and teachers excel in foreign language competitions
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Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) teachers and students have been honored for their linguistic talents and academic excellence in numerous national and state-level foreign language competitions. Dr. Virin Vedder, GCPS Director of World Languages and Dual Language Immersion, is proud of the district’s students and teachers. “The achievements of our students and educators highlight our district's dedication to outstanding language education,” Dr. Vedder shares. “Mastery of multiple languages is incredibly valuable in today's interconnected world, and it's an honor to recognize these individuals who exhibit practical skills that are beneficial both nationally and internationally.”
The following is a list of the honors sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education and the recipients.
2025 Exemplary English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher:
(The honor recognizes outstanding contributions to English Language Learners.)
- Maggie Harper
Collins Hill High School
2025 Exemplary English Learner High School Senior:
(The honor recognizes an exemplary high school senior English Language Learner student)
- Camila Carino Hernandez
Collins Hill High School
The International Skills Diploma Seal is awarded to graduating high school students who complete an international education curriculum and engage in extracurricular activities and experiences that foster the achievement of global competencies. The seal is a signal to employers and higher education institutions that a student is prepared to participate in the global economy. Four students from Archer High School have received this distinction:
|
School |
Student |
Honor |
|---|---|---|
|
Archer HS |
Newsette Kevani |
International Skills Diploma Seal |
|
Sean Kim |
International Skills Diploma Seal |
|
|
Nailah Montgomery |
International Skills Diploma Seal |
|
|
Audrey Osio |
International Skills Diploma Seal |
Two more students from Archer High also excelled on the National Spanish Exam, a national competition between students studying Spanish in the United States. Students must demonstrate competency in listening, reading, grammatical concepts, and cultural knowledge.
|
School |
Student |
Placement |
Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Archer HS |
Jennifer Assamoah |
Gold |
National Spanish Exam |
|
Kayliana Booker |
Silver |
National Spanish Exam |
Le Grand Concours National French Exam: (Le Grand Concours is a national competition that rigorously tests students’ proficiency in French grammar, reading, aural comprehension, and cultural knowledge.)
|
School |
Student |
Placement |
Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dacula MS |
Randy Mendoza |
Platinum |
National French Exam |
|
Annavictoria Alvarado Vargas |
Silver |
National French Exam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archer HS |
Josue Aparicio-Rodriguez |
Gold |
National French Exam |
|
Safiatou Balde |
Gold |
National French Exam |
|
|
Salma Bangura |
Gold |
National French Exam |
|
|
Hadja Balde |
Silver |
National French Exam |
|
|
Davina Disolokele |
Silver |
National French Exam |
|
|
Sarah Djiofack |
Silver |
National French Exam |
|
|
Caleb Rosado |
Silver |
National French Exam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mountain View HS |
Ana Cerrudo |
Platinum |
National French Exam |
|
Adrian Blash |
Gold |
National French Exam |
|
|
Valeria Granados |
Gold |
National French Exam |
|
|
Katy Carrillo Ramirez |
Silver |
National French Exam |
|
|
Odalys Hernandez-Portillo |
Silver |
National French Exam |
|
|
Paula Heys |
Silver |
National French Exam |
|
|
Benedicte Kayiba |
Silver |
National French Exam |
|
|
Stephanie Lopez-Cruz |
Silver |
National French Exam |
GCPS students also excelled on the National Latin Exam earning several gold and silver medals. The National Latin Exam is an annual test for Latin students worldwide that offers students the chance to earn certificates, medals, and scholarships based on their performance.
|
School |
Student |
Placement |
Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Archer HS |
Julia Davis |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
Syeda Alam |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Favour Odeworitse |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Meko Walton |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brookwood HS |
Alex Baker |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
Nicolle Deatherage |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Matthias Dejene |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Savannah Ellison |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Charlotte Fortune |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Nihal Hassan |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Ansley Hollingshead |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
William Makely |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Evan Mashburn |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Elena Michael |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Ngan Nguyan |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Aiden Pierce |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Brooke Robinson |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Maya Solomon |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Amy Tran |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Viktor Winfree |
Gold |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Gia Asteghene |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Rivka Barnhard |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Israelle Clarke |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Stella D'Costa |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Khaliya Douglas |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Michelle Ellis |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Grace Hand |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Kennedy Heimbach |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Madeline Huff |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Catherine Kelly |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Owen Kelly |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
|
Jonathan Malonza |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
| Molly Mckeon |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
| Aekary Naing |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
| Elizabeth-Grace Olanihun |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
| Hareena Patel |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
| Brielle Phillips |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
| Elijah Ruppel |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
| Adam Thomas |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
| Charles Thompson |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
| Aidan Vo |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
| Paulos Wuhib |
Silver |
National Latin Exam |
|
- Class of 2025