VHCS German Alumni

Matthew Kenny

My German education began in 6th grade at Pizitz Middle School. I had signed up for the Unified Arts class, and I was given German for one of the nine week sessions. I threw myself right in, knowing the importance of an education, no matter the subject. Due to Frau Kathy Rogers' intense dedication and care, she helped me foster a love for German that continues to this day. Despite the majority of my family members speaking French or Spanish, I chose German for its viability as a European language, its importance in Alabama, and its uniqueness, which made it different than all languages offered in middle school. After undergoing a rigorous but unbelievably fun two or so years at the middle school, I moved on to the high school. I continued my German education at VHHS until I felt that it was time to leave the classroom and practice my skills in the real world. I then remembered a program Frau Rogers had told me about back in 8th grade. After successfully applying, I spent my junior year in Magdeburg, Germany as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (2016-2017).

Since then I have made so many friends and connections (including a few from Sri Lanka and Kenya), made so many memories, and established lasting relationships with my host family. All of this would not have been possible without both my German capabilities and the teachers who helped me grow it. I am planning to graduate from VHHS in the 2017-2018 school year, and am looking to study history and international relations, specifically how military actions affect foreign policy. Without German, I never would have found my love of foreign cultures, and a deep and lasting respect for what they represent. Learning German has undoubtedly changed my life for the better and I look forward to what new and exciting opportunities will unfold, all because I speak German.

Mary Lauren Palmer

I started learning German at Pizitz Middle School in the seventh grade. I chose German without much knowledge of the benefits it would give me later in life. In German 2 I received the Gold Award for the National German Exam, but I was too young to go on the trip along with it. Later in high school, I took AP German 4 my junior year and independently studied the vocabulary and grammar of German 5 my senior year. Also during my senior year, I participated in the University of Alabama’s German Day competition and won the scholarship for study at the university. My first semester on campus I was placed in German 202, which saved a great deal of money. I declared both German and International Studies as my majors. I also lived in the German House my first semester on campus. In the German House, we were required to speak German and attend German Club events. I met some of my best friends through the German House and German Club.

During the summer of 2016, I studied German language and culture at Humboldt University in Berlin. I received the designation of “best in class”. This experience helped to make me comfortable speaking German to others, especially native speakers. Since then I have also started learning French. Starting June of 2017, I will be interning with the Alabama Germany Partnership to gain more experience in both German and International Relations. I hope to further my career with a job at a German company in Alabama so that I may work between the U.S. and Germany.

In September 2017, I will be leaving for a year long study abroad in Berlin at the Freie Universität. There I will be instructed fully in German and will bring my abilities even further. I also plan to study at the Freie Universität for my master’s degree in International Relations. I will also be applying for an internship with the Bundestag while I pursue my graduate degree. The benefits of learning German are extensive.

Ben Frey

I started learning German at 14 as a freshman at Vestavia Hills High School. From the very beginning I was hooked. Beyond my motivation of having family friends in Germany, I thought of it like a puzzle. I was the kid always working ahead on the homework because I thought it was fun. I didn’t realize that would pay off in a big way until I took the National German Exam my junior year. My score won me an all-expenses-paid trip to Germany for a month. That trip was pivotal, because it showed me that not only was learning German fun, but that it was also directly beneficial.

I continued my study of German in college and expanded to other languages. In 2005 I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor’s in German and linguistics. In 2013 I completed a Ph.D. in Germanic linguistics at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where I taught German and Dutch as a graduate student. Today I am proud to serve as an Assistant Professor in the Department of American Studies at my alma mater, UNC-Chapel Hill, where I teach the Cherokee language. To this day I remain a firm believer in the value of language education. More than being a vessel of communication, understanding language provides insight on the cultures and beliefs of others and sheds light on things we may not have understood about ourselves.

Amy Tanner

I studied abroad during the full year of 1994-1995 and graduated VHHS in 1996. I was an exchange student to Germany through Youth For Understanding and the Congress-Bundestag program. At Vestavia Hills High School, I began studying German as a Freshman under Frau Kathy Rogers. I was immediately enamored with the language and with Frau Rogers' engaging, hands on and very practical teaching, I learned quickly and truly craved to learn more about the language and culture. Towards the middle of my Sophomore year, Frau Rogers informed me of the full-year exchange opportunity. I underwent a rigorous application/interview process and was selected to represent the State of Alabama for this exchange. My year abroad was literally perfect. I lived with an incredible host family, with whom I have remained very close. I attended a Gymnasium in my grade level of 11, studied hard and made many lifelong friends. I traveled throughout Europe during my year and was exposed to cultures so different from my own.

In college at Birmingham Southern, I pursued a Minor in German and a Major in Musical Theatre. I then moved to NYC to pursue my MFA in Acting. While in New York, I had several survival jobs. Three of my jobs directly correlated to my fluency in German. I was a German tutor for 6 middle and high school students for 4 years. I was a German tour guide in the West Village and fielded German tourists through the sites of NYC. Additionally, I worked as a Nanny for a German Family. Currently, I am a professional actress and a teacher in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida. I work as a Voiceover Talent as well and have dubbed several American sitcoms, soap operas and cartoons into German. I also created the voice for a German interactive children's toy!

Becoming bilingual at a young age has 100% influenced my life and the paths I have chosen!

Lindsay Robinson

My desire to learn about various cultures and languages started early, as I spent time traveling to faraway lands with my parents. Although most of my immediate family speaks Spanish, I decided to venture a little further into the roots of Europe and my ancestors to learn German. My first formal introduction to the language was through the unified arts program at Pizitz Middle School. I was 12 years old, and my passion was sparked by my teacher “Frau” Kathy Rogers. Although the unified arts program only allowed us six weeks within the language class, I was already hooked and ready to begin the full course when I reached seventh grade. I carried on learning through the remainder of middle school and high school, and it was by far the best thing that I did during my early schooling.

German provided me so many opportunities, from studying abroad for a summer in Frankfurt in 2010 (during the World Cup!), to connecting with a variety of people in Europe, America, and even Africa! Taking it a step further in college, I decided to try out Arabic for a couple years and expand my knowledge of Middle Eastern culture. I immediately had a head start on my classmates who had never studied languages before because I was able to apply my study methods from German on a new challenge.

Ultimately, I chose the route of Social Work and Gerontology as a career because I so enjoyed doing field work and getting to know people on a personal level. Most would never place a connection on the fields of German and Gerontology, but I see them as hand-in-hand and owe all that I am now to learning my first foreign language. In German class, I was able to peer into the cultures and customs of people that I originally knew nothing about, and was finally able to connect with them through listening and speaking. Today, I use the same methods to connect with my seniors in the assisted living facility to create bonds that constantly change my life (and hopefully theirs) for the better. I even bring basic German lessons to my Memory Care unit which stimulates the minds of seniors living with early stages of dementia!

I cannot thank the teachers who taught me German enough for presenting so much of the world to me. Students who find their path through foreign language will surely find success in their future whether that be in a needed career, an eye-opening vacation, or wonderful new friendships!

Brandy Lewis Nix

My first exposure to German was during a Unified Arts class at Pizitz Middle School in sixth grade. It was only six weeks, but Frau Rogers definitely made an impact on me. When I went to high school I decided to continue taking German.

Her aide during my class was a student who had spent a year in Germany and I was fascinated by how they could speak German to each other. I wanted to be able to do that. During my senior year of high school, it was my turn to be her aide. Frau Rogers told me about the Congress-Bundestag scholarship to study abroad for a year. On a whim I applied, thinking I had nothing to lose. Much to my surprise I got the scholarship and was off to Germany for a year! It was an amazing year where I gained some lifelong friends along with a brand new culture and language.

Once I came home I wanted to continue my study of German. I attended the university of Alabama where I double majored in International Finance and German. Then I went on to get an MBA and a Master's of German.

Upon graduation I began a career in Finance. Even though I don't use German directly in my job, it makes my resume’ stand out to recruiters. It is always a talking point during interviews. Knowing a second language has opened up the world to me and given me so many wonderful experiences and I am forever grateful for that.

Michael Kithcart

I started learning German in sixth grade Unified Arts, which was a 9-week sampling rotation at Pizitz Middle School. German was the first rotation of the school year, and I was instantly taken in. Frau Rogers created a very warm and welcoming classroom environment, which I very much needed at the time, as I had just moved from out of state and was still trying to find my place at school. German quickly became my favorite subject. I thought it was awesome to be learning a language that is so popular and widespread in Europe but not as commonly learned or spoken in our region.

In high school, I hit my stride with the foundation that Frau Rogers had helped me build. Vocabulary and grammar became very easy for me to comprehend and remember, and I enjoyed going to class and taking quizzes and tests, which was a stark contrast to mostly any other subject. During my Sophomore year, I took the AATG National German Exam and scored well enough for a month-long all-expenses-paid trip to Germany, where I sat in all-German lectures, toured and visited historically significant sites, and stayed and lived with a host family with whom I remain in contact.

Currently, I am pursuing my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. I am one semester away from graduating, and while healthcare laws require certifications in medical interpretation to speak to patients about medical issues in other languages (for good reason!), I have been able to chat conversationally in German with several patients, and I am very thankful to have this ability to help bring a little bit of their home to them in these stressful times.