Congratulations to the eight Wakefield students who met the challenge and achieved high distinction by earning top-ten national rankings in Le Grand Concours, the National French Contest. The contest is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French, with over 100,000 students competing on the national level, and over 20,000 students competing on the regional level.

In French V, sophomore Iva Ballvora of Leesburg earned a national rank of 4, and a chapter rank of 2. In French III, freshman Ilvis Ballvora of Leesburg earned a national rank of 5, and a chapter rank of 3.

Juniors Erica Eickhoff of Delaplane and Morgan Vandermast of Waterford both earned a national rank of 7, and a chapter rank of 5.

Eighth-grader Mina Pirasteh of Warrenton earned a national rank of 10, and a chapter rank of 8.

In French I, freshman Anne-Marie Glen of Jeffersonton and eighth-grader Hannah Mormando of Haymarket both earned a national rank of 9, and a chapter rank of 7.

Eighth-grader Cesar Peralta of The Plains earned a national rank of 10, and a chapter rank of 8.

The Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C. chapter will bestow prizes on the top-ten national finishers at a ceremony and reception at St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School in Alexandria on Thursday, May 31.

Wakefield's award-winners are students of long-time French teacher and native speaker Mrs. Jeanine McKee of Warrenton.