MS Prodigy Sweeps HS Contest

FORT MOORE, GA — In a stunning display of linguistic prowess, Elizabeth-Jane Hill, a Faith Middle School student, dominated the Western Carolina University World Languages Contest held today for high school students across the Carolinas and North Georgia. Despite being a middle school student, Elizabeth-Jane outshone her older peers by clinching first place in three demanding categories of Japanese language competition.

The contest, a rigorous challenge involving students proficient in Spanish, French, and Japanese, saw Elizabeth-Jane excelling in Japanese Conversation, Poetry, and a comprehensive Trivia Game encompassing all levels of the language. Her achievements in these categories underscore her exceptional skill and dedication to mastering Japanese.

Elizabeth-Jane's journey in Japanese began just this school year through the DoDEA Virtual School, a testament to her quick learning and passion for the language.

"We are so proud of the initiative that Elizabeth-Jane took to learn Japanese this year and enter the contest as a middle school student," said Audrey Torres, ESOL/WL ISS Southeast ISS. She further noted the progressive language offerings at Faith MS, including French and Spanish alongside Japanese, all aimed at enhancing linguistic skills among students.

Jennifer Howard, facilitator at Faith MS, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Elizabeth-Jane's success is not just a personal victory but a great reflection on our school and DoDEA. Her hard work and passion for Japanese are truly inspiring."

This accomplishment highlights Hill’s individual talent and dedication but also showcases the effectiveness of Dennis Decker, a Japanese Teacher at the DoDEA Virtual School, and the language programs at Faith Middle School. As the school community celebrates her success, they look forward to continuing their language offerings next year, nurturing more students like Hill who aspire to excel in global languages.