Language students compete in APPLES Festival

Olivia G McMinn, Reporter • April 19, 2024 • 53 Views

Lots of Language Competitors at the APPLES Language festival pose for a picture at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Students could compete in either Spanish, German, French, or Latin.

Language students from the three language classes, Spanish, French and German, traveled to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania to compete in the APPLES language festival on March 23, 2024. Students had multiple categories to choose from: listening, reading, writing, speaking, literary recitation, drama, original or reproduction of an art piece, constructing a model, T-shirts, dance, music vocal and music instrumental performances. Each activity was offered in each language.

Around 200 students from local schools participated in this event, 31 Altoona students made the trip to compete. As an annual festival, Altoona takes students to compete every year.

“I did it the year before and I did surprisingly well at it. I went again because I like to win and they have really good food there,” French student junior Ava Cabell said.

Taking advantage of the activities on a local college campus, some students enjoyed scouting out future education options.

“I liked seeing the campus and what they had to offer. Then, it’s nice to compete against people and see what I know in comparison to others,” Spanish student junior Colton Chatams said. “I just have an interest in Spanish so I thought it’d be fun.”

Students paid five dollars for the field trip and a whole day of language immersing activities in Indiana, PA.

“In general, it was a good day. I went because I have a really strong passion for German. I love learning about cultures; I love learning about languages and the APPLES festival is really what brings all of that stuff together. Throughout the entire experience, you can meet multiple people who are natives of the language and participate in all of the stuff. It’s really cool,” German student sophomore Madelyn Cooper said.

Attached below is a full list of placements of Altoona APPLES competitors:

Spanish

Aly Sipes: 3rd in reading, 2nd in speaking

Colton Chathams: 3rd in speaking, 2nd reading, 1st in listening

Lea Gioiosa: 2nd in Art Reproduction

German

Evan Boose: 3rd in listening

Madelyn Cooper: 1st in composition, 2nd in reading, speaking & listening

Korbin Clifford: 3rd in reading & listening, 2nd in composition

Kaitlyn Onder: 3rd in reading

Jack Slusser: 3rd in composition

French: