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:
Ava Cabell: 1st in reading,2nd in composition & 3rd in listening
Julia Schmitt: 2nd in reading & listening
Ava Rokosky: 3rd in listening, 2nd in construction model
Lila Benjamin: 3rd in listening
Camille Krug: 1st in reading & listening, 2nd in speaking, 3rd in composition
Brittney Parks: 2nd in reading, 1st in listening & literary recitation
Gabrielle Beldin: 2nd in reading & speaking
Carmen Stevanus: 2nd in listening, 3rd in composition
Baylin Smith: 1st in reading & listening, 2nd in speaking, 3rd in composition
