Detroit Country Day School Student Receives National French Award by the American Association of Teachers of French

Tara Van Cleave honored for scholastic achievement in French language and culture

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., August 26, 2013 – Detroit Country Day School (DCDS), an independent, non-denominational, college preparatory school, proudly announced today that Tara Van Cleave has been honored by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) with the AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award. DCDS Headmaster Glen Shilling made the announcement.

Van Cleave, a recent graduate of DCDS, studied the French language and culture both in and out of the classroom. She participated in the student exchange program, where she studied in Paris and served as a cultural guide to French students visiting DCDS. Through these programs, she has built international relationships with fellow French students, and plans to study international business at the University of Michigan in the fall. Most recently, Van Cleave studied under the guidance of DCDS French Teacher Sylvie Lucki, who nominated Van Cleave for the award.

“During the past 10 years of her educational career at Detroit Country Day School, Tara has excelled at mastering the French language, and has a adapted into the French culture easily,” said Lucki. “It has been a true pleasure to work with Tara, she is a very independent student with a positive attitude which make her an exemplary student.”

The AATF presents this honor annually to graduating seniors who demonstrate excellence in the French curriculum, as well as display an exceptional commitment to the French language and the many cultures where it is spoken. Recipients of the award must complete at least three years of French study by time of graduation and be non-native speakers of French.

The AATF was founded in 1927 with the mission of promoting the study of the French language and French-speaking literatures and cultures at all levels. The award is given annually in hopes of motivating students to continue their study of French, either through a career in teaching or as a complement to another vocation.

To download a photo of Tara Van Cleave, please click the picture below.

Detroit Country Day School offers students from preschool through high school an exemplary education rooted in academic vigor and a commitment to the full development of each student’s potential. The school is an independent, coeducational, non-denominational, college preparatory school nationally recognized for excellence in academics, athletics and the fine and performing arts. Founded in 1914 by F. Alden Shaw, Detroit Country Day School today enrolls more than 1,500 students on four campuses located in Beverly Hills and Bloomfield Township, Michigan. For additional information, please visit www.dcds.edu.

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