Madeline Fong

A past winner of the International Week Poster Contest is displayed in room 2328. The theme for the poster was ‘Language Opens Doors.’ “Our theme this year is ‘Languages and Cultures Color the World,’ so I am anticipating some very creative and colorful posters this year,” French teacher Elise Dale said.

Modern language classes are holding their annual International Week Poster Contest, with this year’s theme being ‘Languages and Cultures Color the World.’ Students taking a language class can sign up to compete by Feb. 11. 

Individual students or a pair of students may work together on the poster. Only 20 students may compete in the contest. The poster must be completed at home and turned in at room 1308 by Feb. 19 at the end of the school day. 

“I love seeing the creativity of the students [and] their talent, because our students are very talented, and I love seeing that reflected on the posters,” Spanish teacher Maritza Sloan said.

For their posters, students are limited to pencils, crayons, ink pens, colored markers, erasers, pastels and a pencil sharpener. Pre-constructed props or artwork, glue, adhesive, scissors, paint, charcoal and pictures for inspiration are prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification. 

“I plan on using lots of color as well as the names of lots of languages based on the theme,” Spanish V student Darcy Graftenreed (11) said.

Names of the students participating can not be shown on the front of the poster and should instead be written on the back. Judging will take place and results will be announced the afternoon of Feb. 20. First, second and third place winners will receive a $30, $25 and $20 Ram Shack giftcard, respectively. Winners will also have their art displayed in the Student Entrance Foyer during International Week from Feb. 23 to Feb. 27. 

“I did the poster last year, and thought it was a fun opportunity to learn about culture [and] language as well as earn extra credit or a prize,” Graftenreed said.

In addition to the Poster Contest, language students can look forward to International Week, held Feb. 23 to Feb. 27. Students will be able to taste culinary samplers to experience food from around the world, perform in the talent show and take part in the International Film Festival, where students will watch short films from around the world.

“International Week requires a lot of organization,” French teacher Elise Dale said. “We plan events and reserve spaces in the building, we gather ingredients for the culinary sampler and flags for the parade of nations, we finalize film selections for the film festival and we spread the word well in advance so students will sign up for our competitions and events.”

In addition, language students can sign up to be a part of the annual Parade of Nations. Students will parade around the school wearing their cultural attire and holding flags.

“I like that International Week is not only centered on our world language students,” Sloan said. “It acknowledges all the languages and cultures that we have in our school. I am always excited for the Parade of Nations, because looking at all the flags representing the students that we have in the school is just awesome. [It] gives the diversity perspective that we have in this building.”