French Poetry No Match for Huntington’s Best
A group of Huntington High School students showed a somewhat surprisingly strong grasp of French poetry during a recent competition. Then again, it really shouldn’t come as any shock, considering their teacher is Deidre Mayer, one of Long Island’s most respected foreign language educators.
The six Huntington students participated in Vive La Poesie Francaise, which translates to Long Live French Poetry. It’s a competition that is sponsored annually by the Long Island Language Teachers organization. Four of the six teenagers placed in the top three of their respective age category.
The contest itself is more difficult than one might imagine. Students produce originally written French poems. It’s a task that demands a firm grasp of the language. To win an award is proof positive of academic excellence.
Huntington’s Nitika Shaw captured first place for her untitled poem at “Level 3” or 10th grade. Samantha Palmer garnered second place in the same category for her work, “Un Chemin Divise” or “A Divided Path (or way). “She wrote about the choices one makes or the path one chooses in their own destiny,” Mrs. Mayer said.
Huntington’s “Level 5” students also performed brilliantly. Maya Horton won first place for her untitled poem. “The themes of her poem were about childhood memories and the passage of time compared to nature,” Mrs. Mayer explained. Ms. Horton placed in the top three last year, too, with another original untitled poem.
Columbia University-bound senior Samuel Sainthil earned third place “Level 5” honors. He wrote a lengthy poem he titled “La Passion de L’Artiste” or “The Passion of the Artist.” “He discussed a dichotomy of emotions, ranging from anguish in the creation of a chef d'oeuvre to the ecstasy of having produced a great work,” Mrs. Mayer said. “This poem was really a powerful tour de force!”
To say that Mrs. Mayer is proud of her students would be an understatement. She was effusive when discussing their accomplishments.
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