German language in Gaston County

Dear Friends, Sponsors and Board Members.

Before the year comes to a close I want to send you one more e-mail prominently featuring the positive development of the German language taught in Gaston County. Prior to the German Language & Culture Foundation’s support of the German language in Gaston County there was only Forestview High School teaching German, but a few years ago Ashbrook High School, thanks to the positive influence of our Advisory Board Member – Superintendent Reeves McGlohon, decided to add the German language to their curriculum. Since then the German language has taken off at Ashbrook HS as well and the number of students learning German has been growing “in leaps and bounds”.

Our Foundation has supported between 30 to 40 HS students from both schools with study trips to Gotha, Germany, the sister city of Gastonia, over the last several years. During their stay they attended a High School in Gotha, Germany, were home hosted and experienced first-hand student life in Germany and how German families go about their day-to-day lives. Our program with Gaston County Schools is a great success not only thanks to their Superintendent but also former Mayor Jennie Stultz and current Mayor John Bridgeman, who are great supporters of the German language and the student exchanges our Foundation supports.

In closing I would be amiss not to thank the drivers behind the success at Forestview and Ashbrook HS, the German teachers Sabine Schmid-Rankin and Hannah Anderson, who have done an incredible job in motivating students to sign up for the German language vs. other languages offered. A big thank you goes to both of them with the hope that they will continue their work for many years to come!

Thanks to all sponsors, Board Members and friends of the German Language & Culture Foundation for your efforts, generosity and support!

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a successful, happy and healthy 2013.

Please open attached PDF file.

Thank you