On Sunday, May 3, 2026, students from both East and West High Schools were celebrated for their outstanding achievements in the National German Exam and the German Language and School Society Essay Contest. The students' stellar performances earned East High School over $4,000 and West High School over $2,000 in prize money, highlighting their dedication and excellence in the German language.
The National German Exam saw participation from over 15,000 students nationwide, with scores evaluated based on percentile rankings. Students had the opportunity to earn gold, silver, or bronze medals, certificates of recognition, and prizes ranging from $50 to $1,000, sponsored by the American Society of Teachers of German and the Deutscher Sprach- und Schulverein (DSSV) or German Language and School Society of Wisconsin, Inc. The top student was awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to Germany.
East senior, Emilia Ruginni, was distinguished with the prestigious Mark Haberberger Memorial Award and received $1,000. Other major award winners included Douglas Hood, an 11th-grader from West, and East’s 9th-graders Elizabeth Cover and Nora Gaynor, 11th-graders George Kish and Andrew Metzger, and 12th-grader Dan Zello, who each received awards ranging from $500 to $750.
Medalists and Achievements
East High School Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalists:
Mallory Arthur, Lillian Boehlke, Margaret Boehlke, Elizabeth Cover, Nora Gaynor, Charlotte Germano, El Hartnett, George Kish, Sonya Kish, Madelyn Meek, Andrew Metzger, Zoe Meyer, Goran Novalija, Helena Otto, Juliet Otto, Emilia Ruggini, Nadezhda Ruggini, Cecilia Ryan, Daniel Zello
West High School Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalists:
Vivian Bauer, Marissa Brunow, Evelyn Canavan, Nalani Chavers, Nikole Chavers, Gabby Ferrell, Douglas Hood, Matthew Jaworski, Emmet Jensen, Lucy Kiracofe, Max Kuhn, Henry Leonard, Laila McGee, Olivia Peplinski, Henry Riordan, Emily Scott, Avi Zarnowski
Certificates of Achievement:
Eliana Bauer and Matthew Jaworski
Speaking Contest Winner
In related achievements, Tosa East’s junior, Helena Otto won first place in the Wisconsin Regional and State German Speaking Contest. Helena excelled in spontaneous speaking and poetry recitation, prepared on the spot.
Years of Service Recognition
In addition to student achievements, Frau Eva Tuinstra was honored with a Special Teacher Recognition for her 40 years of dedicated service teaching the German language.
National German Honor Society Inductees
Additionally, on Monday, April 27, 2026, the Wauwatosa chapter of the National German Honor Society, Delta Epsilon Phi, inducted its new members. This scholastic organization, founded in 1968 by Käthe Wilson, recognizes outstanding academic achievement of German learners. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA overall and at least a 3.3 GPA in German, and complete six German-related service hours. Our students have engaged in various activities, such as tutoring and supporting multicultural events. The event featured Mrs. Dorothy Smaglick, Treasurer of the German Language and School Society, as the speaker, who emphasized the importance of learning German.
New Inductees from West High School:
Nalani Chavers, Nikole Chavers, Jonathan Foersterling, Lucille Kiracofe, Henry Leonard, Jasmine Steffes, Logan Totsky, Natalie Wiesneski
New Inductees from East High School:
Mallory Arthur, Reda Fensin, Josephine Kiehl, Theo Martin, Zoe Meyer, Laila Robinson, Dylan Sherman
For more information about the National German Exam and German Language and School Society Essay Contest, and the DSSV, please visit dssvwi.org.