District students will be vying to see who has the best French language skills tonight at the Emo Inn when the Northwest Catholic District School Board and Canadian Parents for French hold their “Concours d’art oratoire 2001.”
Starting at 7 p.m., the contest will see 10 students from both the local Catholic board and the Rainy River District School Board compete.
The students have spent the past month or so composing and practising their speeches in preparation for tonight, said Ron Fryer, curriculum co-ordinator with the Catholic board.
Competing in the Core French category are Heidi Friesen (Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program), David Nussbaumer (SCAP), Paul Stintzi (McCrosson-Tovell), Nicole Burner (Our Lady of the Way), Sonya Schulzki (OLW), Nina Stopa (St. Francis), and Matthew Parent (St. Francis).
Facing off in the French Immersion division are St. Francis students Laura Busch, Jennifer Green, and Dayna DeBenedet.
The top three winners in each category will get a personal plaque as well as possession of a larger plaque that will go on display at their school until next year’s contest.
All participants will receive certificates, medals, and pens.
And the Canadian Parents for French once again will send the top winners in both categories to Toronto for the national “Festival concours d’oratoire 2001” on May 26.
Last year’s winners were St. Francis student Katie-Lynn Bondett (French Immersion) and SCAP student Ryan McInerny (Core French).
In related news, the English speech contest will be coming up May 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Michael’s School gymnasium here.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
