Elevate Monthly
Central High students tour France
This summer, 21 Central High students in French levels 3-5 participated in a 26-day educational tour around France, granting them the opportunity to put their language skills to the test and experience another culture.
The students stayed with host families in Mende, France; attended French school, and visited many important historical and cultural sites around France.
Sarah Evans, Central High’s French teacher, said the students were almost fully immersed in the French language during this time.
“It gave students a tremendous opportunity to use their learning in a real-world setting,” Evans said.
While absorbing French culture, the Central students also shared the culture of Wyoming with French students. Four hundred French students attended their “Wyoming Day” event, during which they received gifts from Visit Cheyenne, the Wyoming Historical Society, the Wyoming State Museum and the Laramie County Library. Members of the Central High cheer squad taught cheers and group dances.
The tour of France continued Central High’s partnership with Lycée Chaptal, a school in Mende. Lycée Chaptal students were hosted by Central High families in Cheyenne last year, and the Central French students hope to continue building ties with their French partner students.
Two students, Ryan McNees and Saimaa Widi, were selected to receive $2,000 scholarships for their travel experience from the Société Honoraire de Français, a national French honor society organization that Central has hosted a chapter of for the last six years. They were two out of nine total award winners from the United States this year.
“We are grateful to Central teachers, parents and administration for their ongoing support of this unique opportunity for our students,” Evans said.
South High student places fifth at FBLA National Leadership Conference
South High junior Neal Hushbeck placed fifth in the country in an event at the Future Business Leaders of America, Inc.’s (FBLA) National Leadership Conference held in Orlando, Florida, June 24-July 2.
The conference brought more than 12,000 students from across the U.S. together to compete in business-related events. Hushbeck placed fifth in one event after creating a 30-second public service announcement video, presenting it to the judges and describing how he created the video.
Kate Tietjen, South High’s FBLA adviser, said Hushbeck has a passion for the media industry and intends to pursue a career there.
“He will gain a lot of recognition and possible scholarships from colleges based on his national award,” Tietjen said. “I am so proud of him.”
Fifteen South High students competed in 17 team and individual events throughout the conference.
