2009 National Russian Essay Contest
Seven Western students earned medals in the 2009 National Russian Essay Contest. In the contest, supported by the American Council of Teachers of Russian, students write an essay in Russian on the theme announced at the beginning of the two-hour contest period. Essays are evaluated by US teachers of Russian and language specialists from the Pushkin Institute in Moscow.
Western’s seven students were among 1,430 students from 61 other schools nationwide participating in the Fall, 2009 contest. All seven students won national medals. At the Beginning Level, Sarah Blonder '12 and Kendall Frye '11 were awarded Gold Medals, and Rita Gunter '12 a Silver Medal; Katie Jones '11, Kelly Munroe '11 and Aliya Kingwood '12 earned Bronze Medals. At the Intermediate Level Courtney Pulley '10 won a Bronze Medal.