James Clemens High School students enrolled in German language study excelled at the University of Alabama’s German Day. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON –Students at James Clemens High School proved their exceptional understanding of a foreign language at the University of Alabama’s 22nd annual German Day on March 2.

“Students went up against some very strong German programs at Vestavia Hills, Pizitz Middle School, The Capitol School, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate Middle School, Tuscaloosa Academy, Huntsville High School and the Academy for Science and Foreign Language,” John Peck said. Peck is Public Relations Manager for Madison City Schools.

Peggy Boynton teaches German at James Clemens. She also serves as Content Lead for the World Language Department.

“Students competed in a variety of academic events, as well as performance and visual arts, showcasing the German language and culture,” Peck said.

James Clemens students in levels 1 through 5 earned a total of 24 awards in speaking performance, academic performance and visual art events, including top heritage level student Francisca Lynd.

Numerous James Clemens students also seized multiple awards:

* First-place winners — Wisdom Gwynn, Landan Grier, Alonra Rosello, Landon Miles, Francisca Lynd, Sandra DeMaria.

* Second-place winners — Kourtney Lowman, Jeffrey Miller, Alanna Pendergrass, Hailey Long, Elijah Conway, Sandra DeMaria.

* Third-place winners — Luke Armstrong, Rose Szmyd, Kourtney Lowman, Andrew Shea, Hailey Long, Sandra DeMaria, Leslie DeVore, Caitlin Wesson, Billy Fisher.

In addition, the German III class at James Clemens had six medal winners for 2016 National German Exam. Also, 113 German III students in Alabama took the exam, and four James Clemens students were in the Top Ten for the state.

Gold Medal winners were Francisca Lynd, second in the state; Hailey Long, fourth; and Sarah Fry, sixth. Alondra Rosello was a Silver Medal winner. Landon Miles and Zach Johnson earned the Bronze Medal.