Pupils receive superior ratings at language contest

Stevens Creek Elementary School's Spanish program recently received a certificate of excellence from the Foreign Language Association of Georgia(FLAG).

Two of its fourth graders also achieved the highest rating at FLAG's Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools Spoken Language Contest.

Fourth graders Carson Jones and Bella Hickmon both received superior ratings at the contest, which was held in Alpharetta April 27. Their teacher is Stevens Creek second and fourth grade Spanish Teacher Melissa Heckathorn.

The students were recently recognized at a Columbia County Board of Education meeting.

"It's another recognition you are bringing home to us and it speaks well of your school and our school system," School Superintendent Tommy Price said.

Three hundred twenty-five students from across the state tested their verbal skills in Spanish, French, German and Japanese.

In front of a judge, both girls recited a poem in Spanish. The students didn't compete against each other, but were judged against a set standard. They were the only two from Columbia County who competed.

What may have clinched their superior ratings was their interview - all spoken in Spanish - with the judge prior to reciting their poem.

"The judge said she was so impressed with their enunciation, their accent and their ability to understand," Heckathorn said. "I think that's a huge testament to the program that they are able to communicate in the language."