James Clemens students enjoyed visiting the University of Alabama campus for German Day. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – James Clemens High School students competed with their peers at the University of Alabama’s High School German Day and excelled on the National German Exam.

Fourteen James Clemens students attended German Day. Professors and graduate students in UA’s German department organize and judge at the annual event.

Students in grades 6-12 in public, private and home schools can “demonstrate their skill with the German language and culture across all levels from novice to advanced,” Peggy Boynton said. Boynton teaches German and Latin and is content lead in the world languages department at James Clemens.

German Day included events in speaking with poetry and theatrical presentations, a spelling bee and extemporaneous speaking; written tests to gage listening and reading comprehension; geography and culture; and visual tests in two-dimensional art and multimedia.

Level 2 students Grace Barnes and Caprice DeVore took second place in duo dialog. Gabby Washabaugh earned second place in individual poetry and third in T-shirt design. For extemporaneous reading, Megan Wirth won third place.

For Level 3/4, Eva Hategan captured second place in dictation. Hategan and Bailey Wright took second place for duo dialog.

Boynton said German Day had numerous high points. “One was seeing how my students met with other students from across Alabama, who are learning German just like they are,” she said. “Another was seeing students interacting with university-level people teaching German, speaking German and feeling proud of their German heritage or culture.”

The competition allowed Madison students to experience learning outside the classroom and feel proud of their accomplishments. “When they visit the UA campus, they also see how they can continue their study of the German language once they graduate. Mercedes-Benz sponsors a scholarship for the top senior competitor at German Day,” Boynton said.

In addition, 18 James Clemens students participated in the National German Exam. For the state of Alabama, Eva Hategan earned first place and a gold medal; Bailey Wright, bronze medal, seventh place; and Jordan Ganaway, achievement award.