Monday, March 31, 2014

Mrs. Szulc, second from left, stands proud with her students on the breathtaking Drew campus in Madison, NJ.

Eleven students accompanied Mrs. Bozena Szulc to Drew University, where they competed in the prestigious Olympiada of Spoken Russian. This yearly event provides our students who study Russian with the opportunity to match their language skills against other students from throughout the northeastern United States. It was the seventeenth year of Linden High School’s participation!

The months of hard work were paid off. Our students have brought one gold, six silver, and four bronze medals. Our gold medalist is: Violet Sitko. The silver medalists are: Patrycja Suchocka,  Julia Kheyman, Virmari Sanchez, Nicole Moreno, Krystian Gasior, Edgar Uchinas. Bronze medals won: Naseem Evans, Marcos Montgomery, Dan Kratzer, and Andres Jimenez.

The State Olympiada of Spoken Russian is a challenging, unique, and enjoyable event for all the students of varying levels, from 1 through 5, a Heritage Learner, and Native Speaker categories. The state contest follows the format of the International Olympiada:

  • Commission I:    Speaking
  • Commission II:   Reading/Discussion and Recitation
  • Commission III: Civilization (Geography, History, Literature, Music and Art)

The NJ Contest of Spoken Russian gives my students opportunities to:

  • gain confidence in their ability to speak Russian
  • to demonstrate familiarity with Russian geography, history, literature, art, and music
  • to be recognized for the efforts to master such a challenging language
  • to interact with students from other NJ high schools that offer Russian (Sparta, Marlboro, North Bergen, and Elizabeth Bruriah School)

Throughout the years Linden has been able to establish an excellent partnership with not only mentioned above high schools.  For the excellent performances of our students we have gained trust and respect from national institutions and organizations, such as ACTR and AATSEEL. Our program of the Russian Language has also been recognized by many American universities. Their doors are open for the students who plan to pursue their career in the field of the Russian Language and Literature. Because of our longtime relationship with Drew University and our excellent achievements, Professor Carol Ueland, the head of the Russian Language Program, is inviting our students to continue studying the language under her supervision.

For over twenty years, the Drew Russian Program has hosted the Olympiada of Spoken Russian where high school students from all over New Jersey compete to show off their language skills and win prizes from books to a trip to Russia. Drew students and faculty are the judges and scorekeepers for the contest. It was held in Crawford Hall in the EC from 9-1 on Mon. Mar. 31, and 130 high school age students were on the Drew Campus, cramming for their tests. Over the years some return to Drew as students after they graduate. Spasibo!

Congratulations to all the participants!