Lemont high schoolers medal at national French competion

LEMONT – Five Lemont High School students earned national medals for their performances on Le Grand Concours, an annual competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French. The students, who participated in the event in the spring, all posted scores that ranked among the nation’s top quarter of participants.

Current senior Sarah O’Donnell was the school’s top finisher, earning a silver medal and Lauréat National certificate from the AATF for her effort in French III.

Diana Vera (Class of 2015) earned her fourth bronze medal and Lauréat National certificate in as many years with her effort on the French IV exam. Other bronze medalists included recent grad Dana Kahle (French III), and current senior Tristan Druelinger and current junior Devin Becker (French II).

Six students were awarded the Certificat d’honneur, including current seniors Claire Gagen and Karol Wlodarczyk and current junior Sarah Hagen (French III); current juniors Michael Cottrell and Saray Patiño (French II); and Helen Kollarik from the Class of 2015 (French I).

Students from all 50 states and abroad take part in Le Grand Concours, which evaluates students on their written, oral and listening skills. Students earn prizes based on their scores. More than 90,000 students competed in 2015.

All of the honorees are students of Lemont High School French teacher Kelly Ercoli.