The German Program, with the support of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, hosted the 18th annual German Day on Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Over 450 German students from 15 schools in North Carolina participated in the many fun competitions and events. German Day’s most popular event was karaoke to German songs from every music genre, with Skits a close second. Students also spelled those awfully long German words, conjugated verbs, recited poetry, sang, created art, and answered culture questions related to this year’s theme: Lass uns reden – Let’s talk! which covered centuries of German written and spoken culture, from poetry in the minnesang tradition to contemporary short form media such as Twitter and Mime. The students and faculty of UNCG organized the all-day event that also included campus tours, chat sessions, and a Jeopardy game. We were particularly pleased to host a group of German high school students whose exchange program with Northwest High School in Guilford County has been going strong for more than 20 years. At the end of the day, the Awards Ceremony convinced us that talking, communicating in German or in English, and most importantly, engaging with each other are the best practices to strenghten the transatlantic friendship between the United States and Germany.
Support provided by UNCG’s Kohler Fund and the North Carolina chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German allowed us to host a luncheon for teachers, judges, and chaperones who volunteered their time in order to make this event possible. Dr. Penelope Pynes, Associate Provost for International Programs, and Dr. Amy Williamsen, Professor of Hispanic Studies and Head, Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, greeted our guests and highlighted initiatives that contribute to UNCG’s global orientation.
Many thanks to our colleagues and friends from across campus and the Triad who served as judges for the competitions: Frances Bottenberg (UNCG), Benjamin Davis (UNCG), Scott Denham (Davidson College), Carola Dwyer (UNCG), Astrid End, Alyssa Howards (Wake Forest University) Corey Johnson (UNCG), Molly Knight (Wake Forest University), Brooke Kreitinger (UNCG), Dave Limburg (Guilford College), Elisabeth Plattner, Carolin Roberts, Olav Rueppel (UNCG), Brooke Shafar (UNCG), Tom Skinner, Ulrike Zimmermann, and Matthias Zimmermann. Vielen Dank!
Thank you to our wonderful German teachers in North Carolina!
Paul Maseman, Apex High School, William Reinhardt, Broughton High School, Gabriele Verhoeven, Cary Academy Middle School, Wendy Burgbacher, Cary Academy Upper School, Linda Horvath, Charlotte Catholic High School, Nabeel Kandah, Enloe High School, Sabine Schmid-Rankin, Forestview High School, Diane DeMarco-Flohr, Mallard Creek High School, Jo Garrison, Ligon Middle School and Martin Middle School, Lisa Worthington-Groce, Northwest Guilford High School, Christina Humphrey, Providence High School, Petra Martignoni, Raleigh Charter High School, Janis Overlook, Research Triangle High School, Petra Harrelson, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
Awards Ceremony 2018!
The award-winning T-Shirt with its creator, Breana Lay, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy.
