News Release

April 4, 2022

NEBRASKA WORLD LANGUAGE DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS RECOGNIZED

The Nebraska Department of Education is recognizing 50 distinguished scholars during World Language Week 2022.

The World Language Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes Nebraska students for their leadership in language learning, commitment to language study, appreciation for cultural diversity, and communicative competence. Students were nominated by their teachers and submitted a portfolio.

“Learning a world language means strengthening one’s understanding of humans across all backgrounds, ethnicities, and time periods.,” said Bellevue West High senior and World Language Distinguished Scholar Nathan Walther. “Learning a world language is an essential skill that is necessary in the diverse world we live in today, because it builds much needed connections between people amidst much divisiveness.”

For more information about World Language Week and the World Language Distinguished Scholar Award visit: https://www.education.ne.gov/worldlanguage/world-language-week/.

 

 

High Honors

 

CHINESE LANGUAGE LEARNING

Carmen Vega Garcia

Chinese Novice (Levels 1&2)

Omaha South Magnet High School

Gao Min Palmer, Teacher

 

Ky Thai

Chinese Intermediate Low (Levels 3&4)

Buke High School (Omaha)

Ching Yuk Lam, Teacher

 

Diana Tran

Chinese Intermediate Low (Levels 3&4)

Burke High School

Ching Yuk Lam, Teacher

 

Alyssa Betancourt

Chinese Level 5, AP, IB

Omaha South Magnet High School

Gao Min Palmer, Teacher

 

Ta’tiyona Copeland

Chinese Level 5, AP, IB

Burke High

Ching Yuk Lam, Teacher

 

 
FRENCH LANGUAGE LEARNING
Carina Hernández

French Novice (Levels 1&2)

Omaha Central High Magnet School

Micah Ringlein, Teacher

 

Keoni Anding

French Intermediate Low (Levels 1&2)

Omaha North High School

Margarita Fernandez DeBlas , Teacher

 

Aiden Whalen

French Level 5, AP, IB

Omaha Central High School

Micah Ringlein, Teacher

 

 
GERMAN LANGUAGE LEARNING
Bethany Miller

German Novice (Levels 1&2)

Fremont High School

Brenda Schiermeyer, Teacher

 

Marisa Powell

German Novice (Levels 1&2)

Millard North High School

Wendy Brennan, Teacher

 

Ryan Wagner

German Intermediate Low (Levels 3&4)

Bellvue East High School

Rae Fahrlander, Teacher

 

Allan Muinov

German Level 5, AP, IB

Millard North High School

Jason Pitt, Teacher

Alida Grobbelaar

Millard North High School

Wendy Brennan

 

 

LATIN LANGUAGE LEARNING
Nathan Walther

Latin Intermediate Low (Levels 3&4)

Bellevue West High School

Leslie Hooper, Teacher

 

SPANISH LANGUAGE LEARNING
Sophia Finlay

Spanish Novice (Levels 1&2)

Elkhorn North Ridge Middle School

Alicia Dallman Shoemaker, Teacher

 

Nayelie Castillo

Spanish Novice (Levels 1&2)

Cozad Community Schools

Daniel Revelo, MS, Teacher

 

Taem Harb

Spanish Novice (Levels 1&2)

Elkhorn North High School

Tomi Connelly, Teacher

 

Alexander Werner

Spanish Novice (Levels 1&2)

Mullen High School

Dominique Werner, Teacher

 

Ella Goeke-Schulte

Spanish Intermediate Low (Levels 3&4)

West Holt Public Schools

Danielle Kuchar, Teacher

 

Adriana Guiterrez

Spanish Intermediate Low (Levels 3&4)

Waverly High School

Tiffany Dalton, Teacher

 

Sophia Tegels

Spanish Intermediate Low (Levels 3&4)

Conestoga Junior Senior High school

Rebecca Spangler, Teacher

Rachel Simmons-Pope

Spanish Intermediate Low (Levels 3&4)

Omaha Central High School

Melissa Kuskie, Teacher

   
Faith Husband

Spanish Intermediate Low (Levels 3&4)

Freeman High School

Danielle Fulcher, Teacher

 

Noah Christensen

Spanish Level 5, AP, IB

Millard North High School

Theresa Jensen, Teacher

Viridiana Gonzalez

Heritage/ Spanish for Spanish Speakers

South Sioux City High School

Ramsey Fitzsimmons, Teacher

Elise Smith

Spanish Level 5, AP, IB

Westside High School

Jennifer Paskach, Teacher

 

 

 

 

Honors

 

CHINESE LANGUAGE LEARNING

Nathaniel Richardson

Beverage Magnet Middle School

Ching Yuk Lam, Teacher

Maria Diego-Mateo

Omaha South Magnetic School

Gao Min Palmer

Suong Tran

North Star High School

Coral Su, Teacher

 

FRENCH LANGUAGE LEARNING

Vivian Dauner

Beveridge Magnetic Middle School

Lauren Bartles, Teacher

 

  Joseph Klnsela

Omaha North High Magnetic School

Margarita Fernandez DeBlas, Teacher

 

GERMAN LANGUAGE LEARNING

Fiona Bryant

Omaha Central

Erica Meyer, Teacher

Katryna Boelter

Millard North High School

Wendy Brennan

Maizie Schaffart

Millard North High School

Jason Pitt

 

LATIN LANGUAGE LEARNING

Alyssa Lutzow

Millard North High School

Julia Kolander, Teacher

 

 

 

 

 

SPANISH LANGUAGE LEARNING

Addison Burdorf

Alfonza W. Davis Middle School

Catherine Scurlock, Teacher

Alexandra Howell

Fillmore Central High School

Janelle Steig, Teacher

 

Lily Korth

Ponca High School

Jill Camargo, Teacher

Lauren Hills

York High School

Sam Due, Teacher

Remy Berlowitz

Waverly High School

Cass Didier, Teacher

Brandon Johnson

Beadle Middle School Emily Tylor, Teacher

 

Adidison Steward

Ponac High School

Jill Camargo, Teacher

Jace Grunden

Maywood High School

Javier Martinez, Teacher

Abigail Boatright

Falls City Public School

Jim Robidoux, Teacher

 

Hailey Phipps

Mullen High School

Dominique Werner, Teacher

Howrra Al-Robaie

Lincoln North Star High School

Kristi Molina, Teacher

 

Asa Sizer

Arthur county high school Kelly garcia, Teacher

Matthew Lentz

Ponca High School

Jill Camargo, Teacher

Genesis Acosta

Lexington High School

Diego Gamero, Teacher

Alizangela Lopez Lima

crete middle school

Betty Diaz, Teacher

 

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David Jespersen
Public Information Officer, Nebraska Department of Education
402-471-4537
david.jespersen@nebraska.gov
@NDE_News