Local Students Claim First Place at World Languages Day

Junior high and high school students from throughout the state showcased their language talents during the annual World Languages Day March 4-5 at the University of Wyoming.

UW’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages sponsored the event, and UW student volunteers and faculty members conducted the workshops.

“World Languages Day provides an opportunity for students from all over Wyoming, grades 6-12, to demonstrate their burgeoning linguistic skills in a fun setting,” says Mollie Hand, academic adviser at UW’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages.

The first place winners at this year’s event were:

Campbell County High School -- Meagan Barnes, Chinese level 3; Yin Chen, English as a second language (ESL) level 3; Daniel Gonzalez, Spanish level 5; Elvia Gonzalez, Spanish level 5; Dahlia Harvey, American Sign Language level 1; Wyatt Kline, Chinese level 3; Manuel Ledezma, Spanish level 5; Morry Li, ESL level 2; Lisbeth Lopez, Spanish level 5; Victor Pelayo, Spanish level 5; Erica Rivas, Spanish level 5; and Cleo Williams, Chinese level 3.

Cheyenne East High School -- Taylor Fawcett, French level 2; and Sylvia Shanklin, French levels 3-4.

CY Middle School, Casper -- Abigail Rogers, Spanish level 1; and Sophia Willie, Spanish level 2.

Evanston Middle School -- First place in Spanish level 1 group competition. Team members were: Bailey Barker, Tharyn Barker, Brylin Blood, Sadie Brown, Kylie Ferrin, Kaylynn Hoglin, McKenna Ivie, Hannah Linford, Clay Martin, Maggie Moore, Trinidy Nelson, Devin O’Harra, Tianna Pierce, Jessica Rees, Taryn Wagstaff and Charlie Winfield.

Kelly Walsh High School, Casper -- Sheridan Antrim, French level 1; Joseph Furniss, Spanish level 3; Olivia Perkins, Japanese level 3; Tatiana Rice, Spanish level 3; Joshua Schilling, Japanese level 2; and Makayla Steinberg, French level 1.

Laramie High School -- Julyan Bui, Japanese level 3; Samuel Fay, Spanish level 4; William Friedrichs, German level 3; Jakob Heinz, Spanish level 4; Graeme Ernest-Hoar, Spanish level 4; Clifford Martin, German level 3; Emily Ngeuen, Japanese level 3; Dusti Rector, German level 2; Danny Villalobos, Japanese level 3; and Josh Weatherford, French level 5.

Shoshoni High School -- Laura Neubert, ESL level 4.