Como se dice ’victory’ in Spanish?

VICTORIA BARBER

March 07, 2008 at 9:33AM AKST

A canceled flight and pared-down team could not stop Unalaska language students from taking home top honors at this year’s Alaska State World Language Competition in Anchorage, Feb. 23.

"I didn’t think that I was going to win there, there were a lot of smart kids," said Benjamin Del Rio, who took first place in Spanish Cultural Trivia for native speakers. "So I’m very proud and happy."

Del Rio one of the 11 from Unalaska School who competed against students from across the state on the topics of cultural trivia and poetry. He and his classmates have spent months preparing for the event, getting in extra practice in class and on weekends.

When it came time to leave for Anchorage, however, it briefly seemed that they wouldn’t be able to compete at all when their flight was canceled due to mechanical problems. They switched planes, but that meant fewer seats.

Two teammates, Noah Betzen and Adam Bain, and a chaperone stayed behind.

Of the 11 students who go to the competition, nine finished in the top three for their event.

One of those was Patrick Trinidad, who brought home a first-place medal. Trinidad had won first place as a freshman last year, and was determined win it again.

"I really wanted to get that gold again," said Trinidad, who won first place in level two Cultural Trivia answering questions such as "What is the capital of Spain?" and "What Spanish-speaking country is Sammy Sosa from?"

"The vibe was intense," Trinidad said. "I was nervous but ready to compete at the same time"

Susana Solis is another two-time first-place winner at the event. She memorized two poems in Spanish to compete in the Spanish Poetry for native speakers division.

One poem, "Hombre futuro de America" by Fern’e1n Silva Vald’e9s, was also required last year. Solis said that because she had already memorized the poem, she was able to focus on practicing dramatic gestures to go along with the action of the verses.

"I practiced on my dad at home," Solis said. "I used to do this (reciting and acting out poetry) a lot in Mexico."

Unalaska students have distinguished themselves at the annual event since it began in 2004.

Unalaska School Principal Glenn Cole said that it’s largely due to the efforts of Galena Roraback, the Spanish, German and Russian language instructor.

"Ms. Roraback is a really dynamic teacher, and her students really respond to that," Cole said.

Roraback said that she tries to instill an enthusiasm for language in her students as well as skill.

"I think it’s very important to inspire students and give that sparkle to them," she said.

Roraback said that she believes studying languages gives student much more than the ability to ask for directions while vacationing in foreign cities or winning academic competitions.

"I observe them throughout the year, and (studying languages) helps them get out of their shells," Roraback said. "The main point is not to bring medals, but to give them a chance to prove to themselves that they can do it, and that makes them feel confident."

"It’s very important for their future that they learn to stand for themselves and speak up," Roraback said.

Aside from Trinidad, Del Rio and Solis, six students took home awards. Caroline Nguyen won second place in level two Spanish Cultural Trivia and level two Spanish Poetry. Jocelyn Hernandez won second in level two Spanish Cultural Trivia for native speakers.

Caroline Perez won second in level four Spanish Cultural Trivia. Roy Garay won third in level two Spanish Poetry and Paula Valdez third in level five Spanish Poetry.

"Even though getting ready for the competition was stressful and long," the students observed in a letter sent to The Dutch Harbor Fisherman, "coming home with so many medals was worth it for all of us."

Roraback will accompany Russian students to the competition on April 18.

Victoria Barber can be reached at (907) 342-2424 or toll free at (800) 770-9830, ext. 424.