Catarina Carter '20 ranks 4th in country on National French Exam
Two years ago, Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Catarina Carter ’20 was interrogated by French Police on the France-Spain border regarding a problem with her visa. She didn’t understand a word and felt helpless.
Never again.
Following her second year of taking French as a foreign language, including her first at WMA, Catarina finished the National French Exam (Le Grand Concours) as one of the top students in the country for her skill level.
Catarina won a gold medal and posted the fourth-best score in the nation on the French 3 exam.
Quotes
Catarina on winning a gold medal: “This is probably the first time I’ve met the very high expectations I had set for myself, so I couldn’t be more excited about winning a gold medal.”
Catarina on the influence of Madame Fabienne Dubois as her teacher: “It’s safe to say that I’m now obsessed with most things French, a result of Madame Dubois’s incorporation of Francophone cultures into her curriculum.”
Madame Dubois regarding Catarina’s outlook as a student: “Catarina has a unique perspective on things because she has been exposed to several languages and cultures, and she would bring this multiculturalism to the classroom in her humble and respectful way. Catarina also participated this year in all the French Club activities, the immersion day at Bancroft; and she won second place in our class baking contest, putting a lot of care and effort into making delicious macaroons. Catarina's unpretentious, dynamic, warm personality and enthusiastic interest in the Francophone culture will truly be missed next year.”
Madame Dubois regarding the success of WMA’s French students on this year’s exam: “Twenty-three students earned awards in the Upper School. We are proud of all students in our French classes for trying and doing their best. We practiced over a couple of weeks and the results were amazing. The ranking of students on the national level also improved from years past, which is also very encouraging.”
The following students earned awards on this year’s national exam.
French 1
Guo Yin ’23, silver medal, ninth place nationally
James Kumpulanian ’21, Honorable Mention certificate
French 2
Tiana Gao ’22, silver medal, sixth place nationally
Brady Gouin ’23, Honorable Mention certificate
French 3 Honors
Catarina Carter ’20, gold medal, fourth place nationally
Sofia Hurtado ’21, silver medal, fifth place nationally
Yuzuki Yamaoka ’23, silver medal, eighth place nationally
Bernardo Hurtado ’21, bronze medal
Cole Salvador ’22, bronze medal
Kathryn Quinn ’20, Honorable Mention certificate
French 4 Honors
Genna Miccoli ’22, bronze medal
Lainey Gilmartin ’22, bronze medal
Emily Du ’20, Honorable Mention certificate
Katharine Xu ’20, Honorable Mention certificate
Julia Puppolo ’20, Honorable Mention certificate
French 5 AP/Post AP
Jeremy Dubois ’21, Division 5C, gold medal, sixth place nationally
Jack Perenick ’21, Division 5A, silver medal, 10th place nationally
Liam Garrison ’20, Division 5A, bronze medal
Charlotte Derose ’21, Honorable Mention certificate
Karin Yamaoka ’21, Honorable Mention certificate
Emily Fafard ’20, Honorable Mention certificate
Tendo Kalule ’21, Honorable Mention certificate
Ian Brook ’21, Honorable Mention certificate