The ability  learn a new language comes from sheer motivation and not letting the fear of making a mistake stop you. Bria Whitaker, Neuqua senior, was nominated by French teacher Kristina Beck for the American Association of Teachers of French’s Outstanding Senior in French Award.

To be nominated for the award a student must meet the AATF’s requirements;  nominees must have an A average in French, currently be in their senior year, be a part of the French Honors Society be a non-native speaker of French and have participated in other french related extracurriculars such as le Grand Concours, studying abroad, French club or National French week activities.

Whitacker had proven herself to be more than deserving of the award. Beck says that, with her background in Girl Scouts, Whitacker is “very oriented to service”. When Neuqua’s French club or French Honors Society wanted to do a service project, Whitaker would “take the reigns” and organize all the fundraising to for the projects.  During of the French Honors Society’s service project, Project Linus, Whitacker helped to fundraise for materials by selling popsockets, which enabled the group to make twenty blankets for children in need.

Beck also reflected on the growth that Whitacker experienced  learning French at Neuqua. Beck says that “[Whitaker}s a pretty confident person generally, but was kind of more hesistant using french at first and now she doesn’t hesistate…..[she is]afraid to correct herself,” which Beck says is one of the best ways to become more comfortable with a language because “it is by making mistakes that you learn the best.”