MADISON – Lilliann Markowitz, a junior at James Clemens High School, has translated her interest in foreign language into an award that will take her to Germany.

The three-week school and homestay will include visits to Berlin and Bonn.

Markowitz earned the National German Exam Scholarship, administered by American Association of Teachers of German or AATG. (aatg.org)

Peggy Boynton, German teacher and Content Lead for World Language at James Clemens, told Markowitz that she scored in the Gold Level or above 90th percentile. “Frau Boynton had all her students take the National German Exam. I’m very glad she did,” Markowitz said.

“I didn’t even know what the exam was until she told me that I had scored in the Gold Level, or above 90th percentile. Three of us in Alabama scored Gold on Level 3,” Markowitz said.

For the scholarship, Markowitz completed essay questions in German, interviewed with a University of Alabama professor and completed another German exam. “I’m really excited about this opportunity because I had a vague dream of going to university in Germany to study engineering. This trip could be lifechanging,” she said.

“Languages are cool, and German makes sense to me. I’ve also studied Spanish and French, but German feels natural, like it fits,” Markowitz said.

Markowitz is committed to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

“Serendipitously, I joined Boy Scouts with just enough time to become Eagle,” she said. She also plans to earn Girl Scouts’ Gold Award.

Recently, Markowitz was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (highest rank) in U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. “I proudly serve with cadets of Mississippi BB-41, which drills in Amory, Miss.” She hopes to help Amory’s rebuilding after a devastating tornado on March 24.

Markowitz’s GPA at James Clemens is 4.78.

The BBB awarded a scholarship for her ethics essay. DAR presented the Youth Citizenship Award. She takes most pride in Sea Cadets’ Meritorious Recognition Ribbon for helping a shipmate in a medical emergency that “brought out all my training, knowledge and confidence.”

Her parents are Scott and Kristal Markowitz. He teaches history at James Clemens. She is a SPED teacher at East Limestone High School.

Lilliann’s interests include botany; art, especially crocheting and painting murals; and playing clarinet in concert band.

For college, Lilliann is considering University of Alabama, materials engineering / biology; University of Wisconsin-Madison, astrobotany; Vanderbilt University, engineering / biology; and Cornell University, space science / mycology.

Lilliann’s last thoughts: “I love God and my grandma.”