On February 24th, several of our high school’s best and most enthusiastic French students participated in the state’s annual French Convention. The event has taken place for over 70 years and continues to host numerous school’s from all corners of Alabama. This year marked its 72nd annual gathering and was held at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
The French Convention is an all-day type pursuit. Starting with an early bus ride at 7:30 in the morning, students can expect to arrive at their destination by about 8-9:30. Once there, the event commences with a short opening assembly that usually includes a club roll call, an immersion oath, and a recitation of France’s national anthem, La Marseillaise. After that, the activities can begin.
A scavenger hunt, a t-shirt/cover design, a video entry, a breakout room, choral competitions, skits, and a French scholar’s bowl are some of the event’s more engaging pastimes. The more technical and challenging activities include the presentational or interpersonal French speaking, the oral French competition, the written test, and the possible intermediate or advanced scholarship.
These fun and interactive activities provide a sense of competition between the various schools in attendance. However, to be considered for the competition, each one of them must somehow be related to the year’s theme - this most recent one being French impressionism. This theme could include anything from the 19th century impressionist painters like Van Gogh, Monet, and Degas to the paintings themselves like The Starry Night, The Water Lily Pond, and In A Cafe.
This year, we boasted a plethora of entries that were on-point with the impressionist theme. However, it was ultimately Mena Monroe’s impressive illustration for the t-shirt/program design and Kate Rhodes’s incredible rap as a part of the group choral competition that served as the major standouts for the day.
Of course, none of these activities are required. Observing the competition from afar is just as encouraged. In fact, an interested French student may choose to enjoy some of the noncompetitive entertainment like watching a French movie, getting creative in the art room, or having fun in the dance room. Whatever activity they decide to partake in, they are guaranteed to feel a sense of inclusion.
At the end of the day, once all of the activities have finished, students, volunteers, and school sponsors gather in the assembly room to receive awards and praise for their participation. Around 5:00 in the afternoon, the event closes with every member chanting France’s national slogan - “Liberté, Égalité, Fratenerité!” - and we all say goodbye until next year.
As far as personal reflection goes, this was my first time attending the state’s annual French Convention. Truthfully, it was just as nerdy as my French teacher warned me, but also just as welcoming and gratifying. It was a great opportunity for community building not just with French students from other neighboring schools, but with my fellow French classmates who I found myself getting to know better and bond with.
Naturally, I can not end this reflection without thanking the two sponsors, Madame Harlan and Madame Dupré. They were both instrumental in making this experience the most fun and engaging that it could be, and I thank them very much for their hard work and commitment. Overall, I would say that it was a memorable adventure that I will, with luck, be able to participate in again next year.
Kommentare