Bemidji Area Friends of Concordia Language Villages essay contest awards 11 scholarships

The Bemidji Pioneer, Minn.
·2 min read

Apr. 25—BEMIDJI — The 20th Annual Bemidji Area Friends of

Concordia Language Villages'

Essay Contest recently awarded 11 scholarships to local fourth- and fifth-grade students to fund a one-week summer stay at a language camp of their choice.

Students were asked to submit essays on the topic, "The ways that I could learn and grow from the study of the (blank) language at Concordia Language Villages."

Eleven winners were recognized at an April 7 awards ceremony and include:

* Cora Bergey from Gene Dillon Elementary, attending the German Language Village.

* Simone Cirks from Gene Dillon Elementary, attending the German Language Village.

* Braelyn Holmgren from Gene Dillon Elementary, attending the Swedish Language Village.

* Tuesday Johnson from Gene Dillon Elementary, attending the German Language Village.

* Kate Kado from St. Philips Catholic School, attending the Spanish Language Village.

* Neahriah Mbo from St. Marks Lutheran School, attending the French Language Village.

* Addison Michaels from Gene Dillon Elementary, attending the German Language Village.

* Lydia Nichols from Schoolcraft Learning Community, attending the Japanese Language Village.

* Jedrek Pula from Kelliher Elementary, attending the Norwegian Language Village.

* Rava "Pixie" Thorsgard from St. Philips Catholic School, attending the Norwegian Language Village.

* Elaine Townsdin from Laporte Elementary, attending the French Language Village.

The Bemidji Area Friends of Concordia Language Villages were formed in 2004 to enable more area students to experience a week of language and culture at Concordia Language Villages. Since its inception, the group has awarded 187 one-week sessions to local students.

Funding for this year's scholarships came from Paul Bunyan Communications, Beltrami Electric, First National Bank of Bemidji, Bemidji Rotary, Naylor Heating and Refrigeration, Forest Edge Winery, Super 8 by Wyndham Bemidji and Zetah Construction. Significant personal donations were received from Margaret Maus; Vicki and Steve Ross-Rhodes; and Cal and Pat Rice.