Memorial Middle School Student Wins Recognition in National
French Week Impressionism Contest

   Memorial Middle School (MMS), eighth grade student, Annie P., was recently chosen as an award winner in the National French Week Impressionism Contest.

In November, the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) sponsored the seventh annual National French Week. The week-long celebration of all things French took place in schools and communities and AATF chapters across the country.  The idea of the event is to take French out of the classroom and demonstrate all the reasons to study the language.

As part of the week long celebration, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, in partnership with the AATF, and other organizations, host a series of school contests on "The French Impressionists".

According to contest rules, entries could be in one of five categories of media, or modes of expression such as photography, short videos and digital design, poem or short story, sculpture, drawing and painting.  Entries were judged on creativity, originality and technical skill.

Inspired by MMS 7^th and 8^th grade French teacher, Mary Galiette, Annie P. and fellow 8^th grader, Rebecca H. entered the contest.  Ms. House chose to represent the French flag in a manipulated impressionistic photograph a la Cezanne while Annie’s award-winning silkscreen depicted a Degas ballerina in Andy Warhol fashion.

 “I studied pop art in 7^th grade Art Technology, so I wanted to take impressionist art and make it different using the Degas image,” said Annie who credited MMS Art teachers, David Santa Maria and Elaine Kyle, for their expertise and guidance with the project.

Annie P., her family and Mrs. Galiette attended an awards ceremony at the Alliance Francaise’s Gould Auditorium in New York City, where all award winning entries in grades kindergarten through twelve, were displayed via a slide show. 

Annie’s silkscreen, described as “breathtaking” by her French teacher, was chosen as a finalist in the grades 7-8 category. Although she did not win the $500 grand prize, “Her work received an audible gasp from the audience,” said Mrs. Galiette.

 “I did not enter the contest expecting to win, but it was very exciting.  I love the flow of the French language and enjoy learning about French culture,” said Ms. P., who hopes to visit France next summer with her family.

 “Students need to feel a personal connection to a world language in order to experience it to the fullest,” explained Mrs. Galiette.  “Involving students in cultural awareness through activities such as research, celebrations, performances, music, art and competitions, opens doors to personal as well as intellectual growth.  Most importantly, these experiences motivate students to pursue the language with renewed enthusiasm.”

During National French Week, several of Mrs. Galiette’s students researched "strange-but-true" facts about French culture on topics such as art, ballet, food, technology and sports, and read them each morning over the intercom; other students researched authentic French recipes. Throughout the week, all MMS students entered the school each day to lively French music. The week long celebration ended with an authentic French breakfast prepared by students and parents.

“National French Week provides a valuable opportunity for all students to expand their knowledge of the French culture,” said Mrs. Galiette.  “For Becca and Annie, in particular, it motivated them to extend themselves artistically while elevating their commitment to French to another plane,” she said.