l-r Dean Paolo Cucchi, Barbara Oberding, Cory Krediet, Verna Nienhouse and Dean Edie Lawler

Drew University: Cory Krediet and Verna Nienhouse: $400 each
Post Graduate Work

Two post graduate students at Drew University, Cory Krediet and Vema Nienhouse were awarded scholarships by the German Heritage Council. They are both double majors, Cory in Biology and German and Vema in Religious Studies and German. Both have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa and are members of the German Honor Society, Delta Phi Alpha. Cory is the first German student to participate in the new Foreign Language Across the Curriculum program. His work was done in German on the ecology of Cape Cod. Vema had been doing research for an Honors Thesis on Martin Luther. They will use their awards to further their graduate work.

Jennifer Wu $1,500
Paramus High School
Rutgers University-Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy

Jennifer Wu, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Letao Wu of Paramus is an exceptional academic student, with a straight A average in German for 6 years, Jennifer was accepted into the National Honor Society, was a National Merit Commended student, a Bloustein Distinguished Scholar and was enrolled in numerous AP (Advanced Placement) courses, including German V. She scored in the 96th percentile of the National German exam, administered by the American Association of Teachers of German.

Jennifer demonstrated her talents in many school activities: she sang in the Concert and Honors Choir at Paramus H.S., was artistic director for the TriM Music Honor Society. This you musical artist played the Violin in the Schools Orchestra and contributed much to the School's Musicals as vocal captain. In addition she found time to work as Junior Volunteer at Hackensack University Medical Center, worked part time and tutored some of her peers.

During her four years in High School, Jennifer traveled extensively in Hawaii and Europe, including Vienna, Austria where she was able to practice her German. In September, Jennifer will attend Rutgers University, School of Pharmacy.

Bronwen DeSena: $750
Sparta High School
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec

Bronwen DeSena, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred DeSena of Sparta is a top academic student, with an amazing 4.16 grade point average, Bronwen was accepted into the National Honor Society, the German National Honor Society and the Russian Honor Society. During her high school years, Bronwen attended the Saturday German School of Morris County in Morristown and distinguished herself by taking the prestigious and difficult Sprachdiplom I (language diploma) oral exam, and received special recognition for outstanding achievement by the German Consulate.

In her freshman year Bronwen studied German during the summer and in her second year she attended a language institute in Russia. One summer was devoted to study in Ireland, the land of her heritage. In her junior year the DeSena family was host to an exchange student from Siberia.

Bronwen left her mark in Sparta High School through numerous activities: she was History Club President; Debate Team Captain; and she worked on the Literary Journal; and she has the publication of a children's book, 'Babus Babushca" to her credit. In addition Bronwen took part in the School's musicals, sang for the German classes and the Christmasmarket , and found time to participate in sports: tennis, field hockey and winter track. In the fall Bronwen will attend McGill University in Quebec.

Elise Rowe: $500
Lenape Valley Reg. HS Netcong, NJ

Bio Coming Soon!

Tanya Mitra: $1,000
Parsippany Hills High School
Tufts University

Tanya Mitra, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amit Mitra of Morris Plains is an outstanding academic student, with an amazing 4.37 grade point average, Tanya was accepted into the National Honor Society, the German National Honor Society, was a National Merit Commended student, and was enrolled in fourteen AP (Advanced Placement) courses. Tanya attended an advanced German class at the Country College with her retired teacher, since her high school did not offer the senior year German.

Tanya lived in India for two and a half years, had to learn a new language and adjust to a new societal and educational system. She taught economically disadvantaged children and volunteered at an orphanage for physically disabled children in India. Upon her return in her sophomore year to Parsippany she continued her volunteerism at St. Clare's Hospital and the Geriatric Care Center. Tanya's competence and commitment earned her a place doing cancer research with the prominent Dr. Chen of Rutgers University.

Tanya contributed much to Parsippany's in-school activities, with editing the School's newspaper, three years of Forensics, as president of the German Club, member of the Russian-Ukrainian Club, the Indian Cultural Club and the Math Club. In sports Tanya played Varsity Tennis for two years. Tanya will attend Tufts University.

Katie Ferguson: $750
Chatham High School
Dartmouth College

Katherine Ferguson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Bruce Ferguson of Chatham, is an excellent academic student, with an impressive 4.64 grade point average. Katie was accepted into the National Honor Society, the German National Honor Society, was a Williams College Book Award winner, and was enrolled in numerous Advanced Placement courses. Katie achieved an A+ grade for all six years of German and spent her sophomore summer at Kaethe Kollwitz Gymnasium (high school) in Germany to improve her German. She and her family had lots of opportunities to practice the German language as they hosted a total of 10 German foreign exchange students from Germany.

Katie is most diversified in her interests and accomplishments: she was on the Chatham High School Varsity Swim Team for four years and served as its captain in her senior year; she has been a member of the high school's Marching Band and was honored as the best trumpet soloist; this young lady also played French Horn in the Pit Orchestra of the school's Musical and as a member of the New Jersey All State Mixed Choir, she was the finalist in the New Jersey Governor's Vocal Music Award. Katie will attend Dartmouth College in the fall.