On Thursday April 9 a bus load of thirty German students strapped in and went on the annual Washington University German Day trip that is put on by the German department.

With several competitive activities including a declamation contest (divided into four divisions), a poster contest, skit and video contests, an incredibly intense spelling bee and last but not least a less competitive “schnitzeljagd” or a scavenger hunt  with several different time spans that takes a group of five students running all across the campus.

Each year Washington University picks a theme, and multiple poems for the declamation contest. They provide a list of words that could be in the spelling bee.

In order to go, all students must participate in an activity that fits or exceeds their level in German at EHS. At least seven students participated in the poster contest, only one participated in the division four declamation contest, two groups of five students participated in the scavenger hunt and both received third place in two different time zones.

Senior Sarah Gvillo has participated in the spelling bee for two consecutive years. She did well last year with the group of several other EHS students, lasting the entire round up until the last two words.

“The spelling bee is hard, but it is a fun time,” Gvillo said.

The results for all of the first place winners during Washington University’s German day will be uploaded online.