33 Downers Grove Students Excel In National French Competition

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Students from Community High School District 99 earned nods for their participation in "Le Grand Concours," a nationwide French competition. In total, 87 students from the district took part in the contest and 33 earned medals and recognition.

The awards were given as follows:

Level One

• Mikella Majchrzak, of Downers South, earned a bronze medal
• Hailey Aldrich, Dayana Chaparro, Saray Gomez-Mtz., Riley Flood, Daniel Flores and Isabella Stanevicius, all of Downers South, earned honorable mentions

Level Two

• Zevi Davis, of Downers South, earned a platinum medal and ranked number one in the country with a perfect score
• Emma Klempir, of Downers South, and Sydney Stapleton and Alyssa Zoerb, of Downers North, earned silver medals
• Keya Gupta, of Downers North, earned a bronze medal
• Emily Doherty and Dylan Nutta, of Downers North, and Keira McLaughlin, Towako Momozaki, Yasmina Mulcahey, Kimberly Torres and Sam Wleklinski, of Downers South, earned honorable mentions

Level Three

• Maya Engel, of Downers North, earned a gold medal
• Shelby Balsamo, of Downers South, earned a bronze medal
• Olivia and Madeline Meggos, of Downers North, and Levin Kandakudy and Hannah Venzon, of Downers South, earned honorable mentions

Level Four

• Sarah Jeske, of Downers North, earned a silver medal
• Elizabeth Culcasi, of Downers South, earned a bronze medal
• Noella Ukpe-Roberts, of Downers South, earned an honorable mention

Level Five

• Sydney Fleming, Akshi Mistry, Madeline Riske, of Downers North, and Nonoko Momozaki, of Downers South, earned honorable mentions

“This year, we had a record number of students participate in the National French Contest,” Downers South High School French Teacher Sophia Reuillon said in a news release.

Reuillon added, “I am so proud of our students for choosing to participate in the contest and for how well they did. It shows their dedication, motivation and interest in the French language.”

“Congratulations to our students for their commitment to the French language,” Downers North High French Teacher Kelly Houlihan added. “Their hard work has paid off, especially as they are recognized amongst top French students nationwide.”