Kirkwood High Junior Earns Prestigious National German Exam Scholarship for Summer Study in Germany

Jack Bruno, a Kirkwood High School junior, has earned an all-expenses-paid summer study trip to Germany after scoring in the 91st percentile on the Level 4 2026 National German Exam for High School Students sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG). Over 12,000 students participated in the program. After qualifying with a high score on the National German Exam, he submitted responses to several short essay questions in German and in English and was then interviewed by a committee of high school teachers and college professors of German.

Jack is one of 36 outstanding students selected from across the US to receive the award. The study trip includes round-trip air transportation to Germany, a homestay in a host family, and excursions to places of cultural and historical significance. The study trip, now in its 66th year, is made possible through a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany.

“This year’s prize winners are some of the finest students in the US,” said Michael Shaughnessy, Executive Director of the AATG. “The prize is a great reward for excellence in learning German - and the best way to better get to know a fascinating language and culture through firsthand experiences living with a German family and attending school.”

Jack and the other winners will travel to Germany this summer. He is a student in Dr. Jacob Singleton’s German class.

Founded in 1926, the AATG represents German teachers at all levels of instruction. The AATG is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of the teaching of language, literature, and culture of the German-speaking countries.

In addition to Bruno’s achievement, numerous KHS German students were recognized for their performance on the National German Exam. 

“Bronzeurkunde” recipients include: Reid Franklin, Adi Worley, James Wienke, Natalia Qirko, Margaux Bretaud, Libby Baker, Addy Harrison, Mackenzie Chiles, Elijah Jontry, Amaya Garcia, Carmen Weber and Archibald Dickinson.

“Silberurkunde” recipients include: Daniel Stoeckel, Mark Peters, Whitney Schleiffarth, Jeremy Fritts, Sophie Sobush, Elly Brehob, Avanell Mitchell, Lucia Mariscal, Caroline Krob, Emerson Saylor, Eva Lang, Chance Ferkel, Thomas vanAlstyne, Jocelyn Westerholt, Sophia Hermann, Emma Warren, Luisa Marietta, Meara Rea, Jackson Atkinson, Isaiah Smith and Grace Bastow.

“Goldurkunde” recipients include: Isabella Boeckmann, Alex Wallis, Ashton Arens, Caleb Rodman, Mae Goretzke, Josephine Kim, Nathan Smith, Julian Krull (also a national finalist for the scholarship this year, though he did not win), Truman Kim, Althea Althauser, and Lorelei Kadel.

Angela Bauer and Jacob Singleton are the German teachers at KHS. To learn more about the National German Exam and related opportunities:

https://www.nge.aatg.org/ngescholarship