Congratulations to several world language students from Cave Spring High School who attained national recognition for excellent performance on the 2009 National Spanish Examinations.

Students from Cave Spring High School earned a total of one gold, Kathryn Lawyszek, level 5, three silver, Ashley Anderson and Marion Whisnant, level 5 and Sarah Houhoulis, level 3, and two bronze medals, Hayley Steele and Kasia Luzynski. Level 3, along with six honorable mentions, Genevieve Anderson, Rebecca Davis. Candice Furrow, Emily Smith and Tatum Tyler level 5, Andrew Conley and Andre Miranda, level 3. "Attaining a medal or honorable mention for any student on the National Spanish Examinations is very prestigious," said Kevin Cessna-Buscemi, National Director of the Exams, "because the exams are the largest of their kind in the United States with well over 115,000 students participating in 2009."

Students from Cave Spring High School have a long history of high achievement on these exams and were taught by Spanish teachers, Jennifer Kalafut at Cave Spring Middle School, Esteban Martinez, Mary Douglas, Jackie Gottstein and Judith Dickerson at Cave Spring High School.

The National Spanish Examinations are administered each year in grades 6 through 12, and are sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.

Submitted by Chuck Lionberger, Roanoke County schools