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Lake Ridge Middle School Hosts Annual World Languages Specialty Program

Lake Ridge Middle School foreign language students showcase talents and receive recognition.

How appropriate that on Thursday, Cinco de Mayo, Lake Ridge Middle School hosted its Annual World Languages Specialty Program Extravaganza. Now in its seventh year, the Extravaganza was created to honor the eighth graders graduating from this program. 

Part recognition and part talent show, it was an opportunity for students of all levels to display some of their talents while honoring the cultures they have studied.

During the program students performed skits, musical selections, two native French dances, one song performed in American Sign Language with instrumental accompaniment, and a tribute to Roberto Clemente, Latin American professional baseball player.

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Following the performances, eighth graders were recognized by their teachers, Principal Jo Fitzgerald, Carol Bass, Supervisor of World Languages, and Grant Lattin, School Board Member for the Occoquan District. Each eighth grader received a certificate of achievement for completing the program.

Then students and their families had an opportunity to attend a reception and enjoy some of the food of the cultures they have been studying. Parent volunteers provided most of the refreshments.

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According to Kim Maynard, department chair for the World Languages Specialty Program, several hundred students are enrolled in this program at Lake Ridge Middle School.

Students who enter the World Languages Program choose to study  either Spanish or French. They have the opportunity to complete the equivalent of two years of high school level instruction in a foreign language while still in middle school. The courses count toward their high school diploma. Spanish or French 1 is begun in sixth grade and completed in seventh. While Level 2 of the language is completed during the eighth grade.

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