Notre Dame Celebrates World Language Excellence

This spring, the World Language Department at Notre Dame High School once again hosted a special evening to recognize outstanding student achievement in French, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. A total of 100 accomplished students were inducted into the National World Language Honor Societies, and 80 students were honored for earning Gold and Silver medals or Honors of Distinction on their World Language National Exams. This marks the fifth consecutive year that these prestigious exams have been administered at Notre Dame.

The joyful celebration was led by Seniors Hailey Krone and Shaun Appert, who served as the evening’s Mistress and Master of Ceremonies.  Students Lou-Victoria Martens ‘26, Sawyer Kinney ‘26, Jimmy Falcone ‘26, Rachael Mann ‘26, Emily Deussing ‘26, Timothy Ellingson ‘25, Lily McCabe ‘26, Victoria Bucherre ‘26, and Jenevieve Gopez ‘26 served as officers for the National Language Honor Societies, leading all honorees in their respective language pledges.

Mrs. Marilyn Ward (Spanish), Mrs. Grimonprez (French), and Vice Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, Mona McCauley, delivered inspiring speeches that elevated the significance of the celebration and contributed to the warmth and spirit of the occasion, offering students, families, and colleagues diverse, thoughtful, and highly relevant perspectives. Especially impactful was the authenticity, wisdom, and heartfelt care reflected throughout. Their professionalism and life experience were inspiring, and even more meaningful was the genuine encouragement and compassion they extended to the students who celebrated this important milestone. Each speaker’s unique voice and perspective resonated deeply with all in attendance, leaving a lasting impression on the entire community.

Families celebrated academic achievement and honorees’ courage, discipline, and curiosity that come with the study of a World Language. In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to communicate across cultures presents more than an enrichment opportunity:  It is an essential component of a truly rigorous, college-preparatory education, which Notre Dame strives to offer.  Through the study of language, our students have strengthened their communication skills, sharpened their critical thinking, and developed the perseverance required to grow through challenges. Research consistently demonstrates that World Language study enhances literacy, problem-solving, memory, and overall academic performance, while also preparing students to thrive in universities and in a globally competitive workforce. Whether these students go on to careers in business, healthcare, law, education, science, public service, or the arts, the ability to understand and engage with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds will distinguish them as thoughtful, adaptable, and informed leaders.

With reaching this important milestone in their education, all celebrated students are now positioned to extend the value of World Language study far beyond transcripts, résumés, or college applications.  Learning another language teaches compassion, empathy, humility, and humanity. Students have accepted the invitation to connect to individuals and to see the world through their perspectives;  to recognize the richness of cultures beyond their own experience. In classrooms filled with conversation, collaboration, literature, history, music, and authentic cultural exploration, students learned not simply how to speak in another language, but how to listen, connect, and belong within a broader global community.

One exceptional student, Nina Encarnación Sάnchez, received the coveted World Language Student Award for Excellence, presented by the entire Notre Dame World Language Department.  Nina was recognized for her excellence in French and received distinguished national gold medals in both Spanish and French. Nina’s comprehensive accomplishment in language, her ability to transfer relevant learning outcomes in French to her heritage mastery of Spanish underscore her dedication and talent in world language studies.

2026 World Language Honor Society Inductees

French
Lillian Bifulco
Katherine Candelori
Petros Drakopoulos
Collin Duck
Dorine Florestal
Joannah Gatete
Sophie Hempsell
Phoebe Jezek
Zoie Layaguin
Abigail Oravsky
Veronika Tannenberg

Italian    
Luciana Angelico
Katie Brown
Viviana DiCandia
Adria Durkin
Olivia D'Uva
Edwin Edwards
Karly Falkenstein
Luca Franzen
Michael Hope
Anna Hughes
Salvatore Kearns
Gianna Kennedy
Jacqueline LaCava
Grace Marrone
Anthony Merluse
Charlotte Paces-Carter
Nicolas Peluso
Simone Pettit
Addison Rhodes
Daniela Rossi
Leah Rouse
Brendan Valentino
Rocco Valentino
Alexander White
Justin Zamirowski

Latin
Nathaniel Arthur
Sofia Kydonieus
Markus McParland
Vanessa Mulkey
Lillianna Nguyen
Willow Paterson
Matthew Ryba
Lilly Scannapieco

Spanish
Jacquelyn Abercrombie
Veronica Anabaronye
Shaun Appert
Preston Bahani
Madison Balaam
Yuliya Balytska
Lisa Barber
Sophia Belfort-Mihalyi
Michelle Bello-Haaz
Lexi Bereczki
Angelpreet Bhondohal
Brenna Bidabadi
Joseph Bonko
Susannah Brunt
Michael Cascella
Sophia Clugston
Gavin Coen
Valerie Cordero-Beckert
Jessica Devine
Antonio Diaz
Mia DiBari
Ryan Frascella
Connor Feller
McKenna Fisher
Santiago Gomez-Rendon
Daniel Gonzales
Catherine Graham
Tessa Grande
Anna Gray
Emmett Greeley
Kyleigh Hillsdon
Markos Kapetanakis
Mia Karapelou
Luke Kelly
Addison Louderback
Owen McAtee
Kate Moog
Jack Moore
Eric Nash
Safi Olumbe
Genevieve Onzik
Ian Payne
Madeline Razler
Santhiago Rodrigues
Nora Schmitz
Tessa Schuler
Sarah Sienicki
Jared Stackhouse
Jacob Stinson
Rosemary Stout
Victoria Suschke
Mary Timmerman
Alexa Tucci
Isabel Urban
Nayaa Vijay
Abigail Wargo
Mia Weber
Kelsey Wood

Congratulations to all National Language Honor Society Inductees!

Bravo to all students who earned top marks on their National Exams! The World Language teachers at Notre Dame are incredibly proud of your dedication and success. We encourage each of you to continue your language studies with passion and purpose  -  exploring new cultures, perspectives, and opportunities at ever higher levels.  Keep reaching for excellence!

Mrs. Demaree, Mrs. Grianti, Mrs. Grimonprez, Mrs. Lopez, Mrs. Sabogal, Mrs. Savarese-Ahearn, Mrs. Ward

2026 National World Language Exam Winners