French students from Ocean Township’s middle and high schools were nationally ranked in the 81st annual Le Grand Concours, also know as National French Contest in Marion, Illinois.
The 19 students were evaluated for their written, oral and listening comprehension skills in French.
According to Lisa Narug, National Director of Le Grand Concours, the contest is a national competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French.
More than 85,000 students in all 50 states competed in the 2016 event.
Silver medalists Daniela Martinez, Christiana Santos, Samuel Prudhomme, Whizdee Dolbrus, Yasmeen Elzamek, Vanessa Miranda, and Bronze medalists Thomas McVey, Keiran Varian, Brianne Sinks, Sophia Alvarez, Paula Arroyave, and Zakirah Bey are eighth grade students at Ocean Township Intermediate School and their teacher is Mme. Raquel Andryszczyk.
Silver medalist Esther Pierre Louis is a 10th grade student at Ocean Township High School and her teacher is Dr. Angela S. Barone.
Bronze medalist Ritch (Alex) Luma is a 9th grade student at the high school and his teacher is Dr. Barone.
Silver medalist Jehovany Joseph is a 12th grade student and his teacher is Dr. Barone.
Bronze medalists Najib Assadullah and Nikhil Bagchi are 9th grade students and their teacher is Mme. Pamela Lister. Silver medalist Gabrielle Saintilma is a 10th grade student and her teacher is Mme. Lister.
Bronze medalist Chloe Evangelista is a 10th grade student and her teacher is Mme. Lister.
President Catherine Danièlou, of the AATF said “French students who rank nationally in Le Grand Concours demonstrate a superior level of global responsibility, integrative cultural competence, language skills, and commitment to excellence and dedication. They significantly increase their community’s international profile.”
Danielou also praised the French teachers for their hard work in producing responsible world citizens with multilingual capabilities.
For more information about the National French Contest, please visit our website: www.frenchteachers.org/concours.
