Kennett High School junior Eric Benjamin Gaver (shown at right with Mr. Kotz)has been awarded an all‐expense‐paid summer study trip to Germany. Ben, a fourth-year student of German teacher Mr. Duane Kotz, was selected as a national winner after scoring in the 90th percentile on the Level 4 2017 National German Exam for High School Students sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG). Over 20,000 students participated in the program. After qualifying with a high score on the National German Exam, Ben was required to submit responses to several short essay questions in German and in English and was then interviewed by a committee comprised of high school teachers and college professors of German.
Ben is one of forty‐four outstanding German students selected from across the US to receive the award. The summer 2017 study trip includes round‐trip air transportation to Germany, a home-stay with a host family, and excursions to places of cultural and historical significance. The study trip, now in its fifty-seventh year, is made possible through a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany.
“Ben is a remarkable student. His proficiency in German is extraordinary, and his hard work and dedication to improving his German make him a very deserving recipient of this prestigious award. I am extremely proud of him,” said Mr. Kotz.
“This year’s prize winners are some of the finest students in the US,” said Keith Cothrun, Executive Director of the AATG. “The prize is a great reward for excellence in learning German—and the best way to better get to know a fascinating language and culture through firsthand experiences living with a German family and attending school.”
Founded in 1926, the AATG represents German teachers at all levels of instruction. The AATG is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of the teaching of language, literature and culture of the German‐speaking countries.
Ben is very excited about his forthcoming trip. “This is a wonderful opportunity, and I am thankful that I will be able to immerse myself in the German culture.”
