Jupiter High School foreign language students celebrated Foreign Language Week 2008 with special activities during the week of February 3-8. On Monday, the National Spanish Honor Society initiated its newest members. They included: Charles Chandler, Lindsey French, Alicia Gnecco, Marco Gutiérrez, Kellsie Kehoe, Leigha Kiger, Brianna Lewis, Catalina Marín, Natalia Mejía, Danielli Marzouca, Maegan Prince, Catalina Rodríguez, Juan Salazar, Christina Schultz, Shannon Steele, Jacqueline Storer, Jeanette Strasberg, Angélica Sua, Chloe Textor, Evelyn Vo, and Emily Wilson. The initiation was held at Don Ramon's restaurant and was sponsored by JHS faculty member Gianina Ireland.

On Thursday, the Spanish and American Sign Language students presented the Foreign Language Project Fair and World Showcase. One of the highlights of the evening was a student demonstration of four types of Hispanic dances- merengue,bachata, salsa, cumbia. Student dancers included Camilo Ramos, Jessica Segebre, Lisandra Delgado, Carlos Toro, Leandro Sicard, Tyler Smillie, Amanda Morris, Colton Tryon, Gina Agnello, Taina Irrizary, Paolo Toro, Samantha Sicard, Teddy Sanler, Jiohanny Pfirman, and Hilary Adán. For the first time, the dancers wore costumes purchased in Colombia over the holiday break.

During the talent program, several students stood out with excellent performances. Ariana Masters sang "The Star Spangled Banner" to open the program. Lillian McBee performed "Malagueña" and "Guantanamera." The program continued with Jeanine Garfield singing, "Bésame mucho." Beatriz Mardones, accompanied on the guitar by Ryan Houston, sang "Inevitable." Andrew Persante and Nicolás Rojo played three guitar numbers--"Malagueña," a flamenco number, and a waltz, which was composed by Nicolás and his father, Mauricio.

American Sign Language students, taught by Christy Podlesnik, performed next with Kelsey Allan and Rosemary Cain signing to the music of "It's my life." Diana McAllister, Katie Nance, and Megan Nance signed the song, "Just Want You to Know." Amanda Mikulak told a "hand shape" story, while Will Phillips and Jack Wagner entertained the crowd as they signed to the song, "Jungle Love." Lastly, three students in Leigh Clark's Advanced Placement Spanish Language class performed declamations. Seniors Cheryl Askey recited Estar enamorada; Alexandra Moore recited Sonatina; and Bautista Cruz, in authentic costume from his native Bolivia, recited La tristeza del Inca.

Following the entertainment portion of the evening, the JHS Spanish and French teachers awarded prizes for the projects entered in the competition. For Doris Carlin's Spanish 1 classes, honorable mention ribbons were awarded to Rachel Piersal, Paige Obert, Stewart Young, John Goedmakers, matthew Brown, Christine Bognar, Jake Marcello, Dominic Decesare, Natalie Gardner, and Madalyn Spindle. First place went to Calvin Marshall, 11 th grade, for painting Picasso's "Lady in a Blue Hat." Second place went to sophomore Amanda Marzullo, for her painting, and third place went to Zachary Marshall for his rendition of the AgbarTower in Spain.

In Lourdes Prachyl's Spanish 1 classes, first place was awarded to Kristin Casey, 10 th grade; second place went to RoseMary Keenum, 9 th grade; and third place was awarded to sophomore Michael Murphy. In her Spanish 2 classes, Ms. Prachyl awarded sophomore Nikki St. Mary with first place; sophomore Michael Cardenas with second place; and Megan Pino, 9 th grade, with third place. Honorable mention awards were given to: Sarah Buranosky, Lexie Pearson, Nick Smith, Ashley Macisaac, Spencer Groth, Jensen Edgley, Forrest Rogerson, Kallia Todd, Joseph Erbrick, Samantha Abel, Mike Mahoney, Alex Ahrenholz, and Maddie Newstead.

In Jacqueline Lyons' Spanish 2 classes, Aura Defazio received first place; Connor Dansevich, second place, and Brittney Savage and Roman Polovinkin tied for third place. In her Spanish 3 classes, two projects were recognized. Beach Brooks received first place recognition and Stephen Boyer, Jamie Cardwell, and Jet Davis received second place. Honorable mention ribbons were awarded to Olga Tomasello, Luke Stratton, Quinn Williams, Alexis Freeburn, Lindsey Minahan, Shawna Nys, Laura Casali, Taylor Layton Mazza, and Joe Brooker.

In Teresita Iglesias' Spanish 1 classes, 9 th grader Andre Johnson received first place for his Patio of the Myrtles rendition; freshman Brittany Valentine received second place for her mosaic of the flag of Cuba; and freshman Briana Vandusen received third place for his Mayan temple model.

In Christy Podlesnik's ASL I classes, students made project boards about famous deaf individuals. First place went to Lauren Rubio for Christy Smith, one of television's Survivors. Second place went to Grant Brestle, who investigated Kathy Buckley, a deaf comedian. Third place went to Meghan Davis, who investigated William (Dummy) Hoy, who the first deaf baseball player who invented the signed used by umpires. In ASL 2, Danielle Enrico received first place for plaster castings of her hands spelling the word, "Smile." Second place was awarded to Gabby Gallo for an "I love you" mold of her hand. In ASL 3, the students created original works of art or copied master deaf artists. First place went to Amanda Mikulak for her ABC hand shape story. Second place went to Jacklin Sibley for her recreation of the statue, "Why me?", originally sculpted by Lee Ivey. A tie for third place awarded Marlette Grant and Paige Fridkis ribbons for their projects which were recreations of famous deaf artists' works. In ASL 4, first place was awarded to Matthew O'Connell for his ASL fruit and vegetable book. Second place was awarded to Emily Jahnsen for her mosaic of her name. Ryan Harpenau won third place for his handmade ABC book for children. Honorable mention ribbons went to Carley Blake, Victoria Sanchez, Ashley Surgent, Shayna Davis, Sean Nelson, and Julianna Dunstan.

In Juan Claudio's Spanish 2 classes, freshman Andrew Bain received first place recognition for his copy of Picasso's Don Quijote; junior Lisa Gates received second place for her Peruvian pottery; and junior James Egger received third place for his diablo mask. Honorable mention ribbons were awarded to: Patrick Iler, Teddy Reardon, Joseph Migliori, Taryn Dewey, John Vanek, Kayla Myhre, Shelbi hayes, Marina Russo, Sara Edgley, Danielle Rhemer, and Nicole Smolenyak. In Claudio's Spanish 3 classes, first place was received by sophomore Evan Courtney, Puerta de Alcalá; second place went to Spencer Hodgkins, and third place went to sophomore Michael Schloz. Honorable mention ribbons were awarded to Jenna Silver, Skylar Cook, William Burdge, and Kelly Toledo. Daniel Sneed won Best in Show for his carnaval costume consisting of colorful pants, shirt, and huge papier maché head constructed over a bike helmet.

In Gianina Ireland's Spanish 4 classes, students completed projects on famous Hispanic personages. Senior Rebecca Tassell received Honorable mention for her report on Colombian painter, Fernando Botero. First place went to senior Marcelo Velázquez, for his report on El Cid, Campeador. Junior Jonnuel Ortega received second place for his project on Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco. And junior Courtney Marshall received third place for her report on the conquistador Hernán Cortez.

In Leigh Clark's Spanish 3 classes, Honorable mention awards were made to Chloe Textor, Amanda Martínez, Nicole Millard, Nicole Millard, Nicole Casuso, Nathalie McCrate, Chad Awad, Angélica Sua, Jason Klausmeyer, Jacqueline Storer, Danielli Marzouca, David Boxenbaum, Alicia Gnecco, Mizael Fernández, Danielle Edgley, Juan Salazar, Javed Khanni, Steven Jones, Maegan Prince, and Kristen Jones. First place went to sophomore Kyle Kravitz for his realistic model of Chitzén Itzá; second place went to junior Emily Monteiro for her Oaxacan frog handicraft; and third place went to junior Tashina Vallejo for her reproduction of a Peruvian tumi, which was used for brain surgery and sacrifices by the Incas. In Clark's Advanced Placement Spanish Language classes, three students received awards for outstanding declamations. Senior Karla Cordero received first place for her rendition of Rubén Dariío's poem, A Margarita Debayle.Senior Bautista Cruz received second place for his stirring rendition of La Tristeza del Inca. Senior Cheryl Askey received third place for her touching declamation of the poem, Estar enamorado, which means "To be in Love."

Lynn Phillips French 1 and 2 students, who won ribbons at the Mardi gras held on campus on February 5, displayed their projects at the Project Fair. Winners included in French 1 Kendra Wrightson, first place; Amanda Post, second place; and Devon Hall and Hanah Eastwood, who tied for third places. In the French 2 classes, Jennifer Ranes, Julia Lurvey, and Courtney Shotwell took first place with a booth about Belgium. Sal Franchina, Sachi Barnstein, and Emily Berge received second place honors with a booth on the ComorosIslands. Amanda Snyder, Gab Klitentyte, James Rook and Bo Jaffe received third place for their booth on the Ivory Coast.

Spanish teacher Leigh Clark chaired the event. "This was the best Project Fair and World Showcase ever!" commented Clark. "The fact that the dancers were in native costumes was an upgrade from last year's event. The student participants were so enthusiastic and many of the projects were thoughtful and creative. She added, "Many students have an opportunity to shine at the Project Fair and World Showcase." The parents, teachers, administrators, and visitors who were in attendance will agree.