We had yet another outstanding High School English Conversation Competition on Tuesday, December 3rd! All the participants were fantastic! It was, yet again, a very strenuous and serious task for the judges to consider all aspects of their performances. Indeed, there is surely no more competitive contest in this school than this English one!

The judges were myself, baker-of-cookies and proud organizer, George Haag, the ever reliable Pavel Kvasnica, who is essential to a perfectly balanced judgement, and the newcomer Dominic Starley – whose English I personally never question. Thank you my brothers in arms for everything! Dearest Pavel and Dominic!!!!

It is not enough to be able to answer a few questions in highly impressive English. Oh, no, it is not. There is also the highly challenging listening exam. And to place (as a winner) in this great trial of will and skill, the combatants must express fascinating content, in depth, and, of course, in outstanding English! English that would honor King Henry the Fifth himself! All within an intense five minutes in front of critical English teachers, who, as all the participants know, scrutinize every iota of every instant.

The top three were the same as last year, proving their dominance! Tereza Vavříková of G7 took third, and Sofie Prchalová, also of G7, took second! Congratulations to them both! Performances that deserve remembrances!

But the undisputed champion this year was Vanda Nováčková of 3A!!!! Whose fierce description and argument on the topic of Health will live in the analogs of Gymnázium Šumperk’s glorious history for all time! We judges all learned much from her, and were humbled.

Finally, I make this solemn vow to provide many more homemade chocolate chip cookies for next year’s event! So, all first and second year participants must be sure to return.

George Haag