LHS Students Perform Well On National Language Exams

LEMONT, IL — Several Lemont High School students put forth standout efforts while participating in national language exams in French and Spanish last spring. Three students – Class of 2017 graduates Mira Antonopoulos, Claudia Jazowski and Natasha Joseph – joined a select club by earning their fourth National Spanish Exam medals, while current junior Stephanie Valle and former student Jorge Garcia-Arcicollar each earned top honors on their exams, the school said.

According to the school, Lemont had nine students earn National Spanish Exam medalist accolades in 2017, with Valle and Garcia-Arcicollar earning “Premio de Oro” or Gold Award honors in Spanish IV. They join Jacob Gasienica ‘16 as the only Lemont students to earn “Premio de Oro” citations in Spanish IV. Accomplishing the feat as a sophomore, Valle is the youngest Lemont student to achieve “Premio de Oro” honors on the Spanish IV exam.

“Premio de Plata” or Silver Award winners included Joseph in Spanish IV and current senior Lauren Pengiel in Spanish III.

“Premio de Bronce” or Bronze Award honorees included Antonopoulos, Jazowski, Matas Maleiska ‘17 and Maria Valle ‘17 in Spanish IV, and current senior Laura Hunter in Spanish III.

The school said Lemont saw two students earn national medals for their performances on Le Grand Concours, an annual competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF). The students posted scores that ranked among the nation’s top quarter of participants.

According to the school, current senior Kara Kirkus was the school’s top finisher, earning a silver medal from the AATF for her effort in French III. Silver medalists score among the 85th or 90th percentile of all competitors in their respective divisions. Current senior Reece Graham received a bronze medal for his effort on the French III exam. Bronze medalists rank among the 75th or 80th percentile among all competitors.

Photo provided by Lemont High School.