Aiken High students place first, second in state on German exam

Aiken High's German students of teachers Art and Lisa Lader racked up on the National German Exams, with Bryson Wightman and Finje Mutter leading the way.

Wightman finished first among South Carolina students, achieving the 99th percentile. Mutter, an exchange student from Germany, was second in the state at the 98th percentile.

Close behind was Thomas Cushman, fourth in the state and a 97th percentile finisher. More than a dozen additional students fared well.

Lisa Lader said, "I am so pleased and proud to see that our Aiken High School German students can more than hold their own when compared to other high school German students, not only in South Carolina, but with students from anywhere in the country."

Wightman was stunned by the first place state finish, "but there are plenty of students who did well," he said. "It's a good reflection on the Laders."

Mutter wasn't too concerned that Wightman finished ahead of her on the national exam.

"I think my English grades are a little better," she said with a grin.

Other students finishing near the top statewide included Tatiana Hoover (11th), Derek Berry and Shannon Strong (tied 13th), Sarah Cushman (14th), Brandon Boyd (18th) and Annalise Eberhard (19th). Sarah Cushman also finished in the 91st percentile.

Hoover received the a silver award and Amanda Yaun a bronze award from the American Association of Teachers of German. Others earning AATG achievement awards were Berry, Strong, Jason Hightower, Jovanna Orozco, Tequilla Hightower, Shomari Jones, Megann Howard, Katherine Rhoden and Brandon Boyd.

Even without standardized test results, the teachers know their students are top-notch, said Art Lader.

"Still," he said, "it is tremendously gratifying to see them do so well in head-to-head competition with German students from hundreds of other schools."

Wightman and Mutter are enrolled in German V, sharing a class with German IV students, but with more advanced requirements. Being immersed the German language and culture has impacted him academically, said Wightman, who plans to study music education at Furman University this fall.

"If I want to go to Germany for a year, I would have a head start over those without this kind of training," he said. "But anyone in our class could do that."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.