The University of Arkansas at Monticello hosted the Eighth Annual Foreign Language Festival on Saturday, Jan. 27 with 150 high school students from various surrounding areas attending. 

   The festivities began with a warm welcome in the UAM Fine Arts Center by Isabel Bacon, UAM Spanish instructor and regional coordinator for the event. Students competed in various contests, which included poetry, public speaking, vocabulary and extemporaneous speech in both Spanish and French. The program offered students additional activities to participate in such as, arts and crafts, bingo, dance and cultural trivia.

   “The theme for this year’s festival is Language is the Key to Common Understanding,” said Patty Rico, assistant coordinator. “It is a great experience for all the children who are excited to learn about the languages and cultures of other countries.” 

            Winners in Spanish Vocabulary Bee:

                        1^st Place – Britni Huskey, Drew Central

                        2^nd Place – Jared Hawking, Dermott

                        3^rd Place - Tequila Grant, Watson Chapel 

            Winners in Elementary Spanish Poetry:

                        1^st Place – Amber Spradin, Drew Central

                        2^nd Place – Joseph Rayfus, Watson Chapel

                        3^rd Place Britni Huskey, Drew Central and Stefinie Collins, Monticello 

            Winners in Advance Spanish Poetry:

                        1^st Place – Tanesha Curl, Watson Chapel

                        2^nd Place – Britany Bronson, Watson Chapel 

            Winners in Spanish Heritage Speaking:

                        1^st Place – Jaime Garcia, Drew Central

                        2^nd Place – Jose Esramilia, Monticello

                        3^rd Place – Elia Garcia, Drew Central 

            Winners in Spanish I Extempore Reading:

                        1^st Place – Hannah Breshears, Crossett

                        2^nd Place – Kristel Wilkins, Monticello

                        3^rd Place – Keena Dicky, Crossett  

            Winners in Spanish II Extempore Reading:

                        1^st Place -  Tanesha Curl, Watson Chapel

                        2^nd Place – Brittney Brunson, Watson Chapel           

            Winners in Spanish IV Extempore Reading:

                        1^st Place – Jose Escamilia, Monticello

                        2^nd Place – Elia Garcia, Drew Central

                        3^rd Place – Jaime Garcia, Drew Central           

            Winners in Spanish I Public Speaking:

                        1^st Place – Willis Allen, Dermott

                        2^nd Place – Jennifer McLane, Watson Chapel

                        3^rd Place – Jaznique Carral, Monticello 

            Winners in Spanish II Public Speaking:

                        1^st Place – Brittany Brunson, Watson Chapel

                        2^nd Place – Janet Jamison, Monticello

                        3^rd Place – Klaire Wilson, Monticello                       

            Winners in Spanish III Public Speaking:

                        1^st Place – Brittany Brunson, Watson Chapel

                        2^nd Place – Janet Jamison, Monticello

                        3^rd Place – Klaire Wilson, Monticello 

            Winners in Heritage Public Speaking:

                        1^st Place – Elice Garcia, Drew Central

                        2^nd Place – Jamie Garcia, Drew Central

                        3^rd Place – Reyna Garcia, Drew Central 

            Winners in French Vocabulary Bee:

                        1^st Place – Max Sawyer, Monticello

                        2^nd Place – Ashton Jones, Monticello

                        3^rd Place – Andy Gui, Monticello 

            Winners in Elementary French Poetry:

                        1^st Place – Korsica Robinson, Monticello

                        2^nd Place – Tiffani Stringfellow, Monticello

                        3^rd Place – Ivonne Graciano, Monticello 

            Winners in French Extempore Reading:

                        1^st Place – Ashton Jones, Monticello

                        2^nd Place – Beau Jones, Monticello

                        3^rd Place – Jesse Bono, Monticello 

            Winner in French Public Speaking:

                        1^st Place – Max Sawyer, Monticello 

            The event ended with several musical presentations and skits.