At the State German Competition held at the University of Texas-Austin campus this weekend, Greenville High School students earned top honors.

The GHS German Folkdance team won 1^st place in their event through the successful completion of five, Level Three dances. Dancers included Kolton Evans, Ben Fawcett, Jessi Fawcett, Miranda Ferrer, Elizabeth Hill, Seska Jordan, Phillip Malone, Jonathan McClellen, Christina Ory, Kaci Porter, Mason Smith, Annie Steward, Ricky Steward and John Wensel. 

The GHS German Oompah Band, also known as Polka Band, placed 4^th. Members of this group were Brenda Chavez, Preston Evans, Benjamin Fawcett, Phillip Malone, Jonathan McClellen, William Powell, John Shasteen, Mason Smith, Annie Steward, Ricky Steward and Andrew Walker. These students presented a ten minute program which included three pieces by composer Herbert Ferstl. 

First year German student Laura Foote placed 6^th in Level 1 Memorized Poetry. She competed against other students also in their first year of German studies. She presented “der Erlkonig” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

To qualify for the state contest, students must compete at one of the regional competitions held the first Saturday of February each year and place in the top five of their events. The top five in each event from each region then compete against each other at the state competition held the last Saturday of February each year.   

This year, 925 students representing 61 Texas schools competed at the Texas State German Contest. Among these were 23 Greenville High School students ranging in level of experience from German 1 to German 4. Students enjoyed a unique opportunity to demonstrate the skills learned in their German classes while they competed in academic, declamation and cultural events.