James Clemens wins ‘Top School’ at UA German Day

MADISON – James Clemens High School students claimed the title of “Top School” by winning the most awards across all categories at German Day at the University of Alabama.

UA professors who teach German hosted the event in the Ferguson Center on March 1.

“Every single one of students performed very well and represented James Clemens outstandingly. I’m extremely proud of them and excited we brought this achievement back to James Clemens for the first time ever,” teacher/sponsor Peggy Boynton said.

German Day allows students to prove proficiency with their acquired knowledge of the German language and culture. “When students are offered a chance to test their skills outside the classroom, they have a sense of accomplishment, often deeper and more meaningful than what just normally occurs inside the classroom,” Boynton said.

James Clemens 26-member team competed with about 200 students from nine schools.

Among James Clemens’ many individual awards, Alexander Adams received the honor of “Top Student” for Level 3/4. Faythe Calnon earned “Top Student” in the “Heritage” category. Adams and Calnon are juniors.

The following students earned first-place honors:

* Nadia Hammond — Dictation, Level 1.

* Zach Jones and Addy Bias — Duo Dialog, Level 2.

* Alex Adams and Sam Straub — Duo Dialog, Level 3/4.

* Faythe Calnon — Geography/Culture and Individual Poetry, Heritage level.

* “Ich bin blank” — Group Song, Level 3/4.

* Alex Adams — Individual Poetry, Level 3/4.

* Campbell Brown — Spelling Bee, Level 2.

* Riley Hartman and Tyler Tankersley — Video, Level 2.

These students earned second place at German Day:

* LeLyn Shaw — Children’s Book, Level 2.

* Wisdom Gwynn — Children’s Book, Level 3.

* Alex Adams — Dictation, Level 3/4.

* Abigaile Garrigan and Alanna Pendergrass — Duo Dialog, Level 3/4.

* Riley Hartman — Extemporaneous Reading, Level 2.

* Tyler Tankersley — Geography and Culture, Level 2.

* Zach Jones, Addy Bias and Jayden Apticar — Group Poetry, Level 2.

* Wisdom Gwynn, Morgann Henke and Bailey Moore — Group Poetry, Level 3/4.

* Zach Jones — Poster Collage, Level 2.

* Sarah Shirley and Bailey Moore —  Poster Collage, Level 3/4.

* Nadia Hammond — Reading Comprehension, Level 1.

* “Wer ist der beste?” — Video, Level 3/4.

James Clemens took third place in these activities:

* Nicole Conaway — Dictation, Level 1.

* Zach Jones — T-shirt design, Level 2.

* Nicole Conaway — T-shirt design, Level 1.

* Faythe Calnon — Reading Comprehension, Heritage; T-shirt design, Level 3/4.

* Wisdom Gwynn — Spelling Bee, Level 3/4.