Language Celebration for High School Students

The Department of World Languages and Literature at the University of Nebraska at Omaha will be hosting the annual Language Celebration for high school students on March 6, 2026.

About the Language Celebration

Information Booths

Students will learn about our programs in Spanish, Spanish for Health Sciences, French, German, Italian, and Japanese.

Topics include

Study abroad
Language as a double major
Dual enrollment

Moreover, representatives from from local businesses and organizations will discuss the benefits of being bilingual and the diverse career options available. These are some of our partners who hosted informational booths in previous years:

Omaha Fire Department
World Speaks Omaha
Immigrant Legal Center
One World Omaha

Participant Levels

Level 1: Performers are students who are in their first or second year of study of the target language.
Level 2: Performers are students who are in their third (or higher) year of study of the target language.
Heritage learners: Performers are students enrolled in courses designed for heritage/native speakers. Note to teachers: if your school does not offer a heritage/native speaker course, but your students are heritage/native learners, you can choose to have your students participate in the 'heritage learner' level.

See the following rubrics for more information on the judged events.

Judged Events

Dance: Students may dance on their own or as a group. Students present and perform a dance that is meaningful and representative of the culture of the people(s) who speak the target language. This performance should last between 3 and 4 minutes. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the performance. The dance will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, and execution.

Musical performance: Students perform individually or in groups an instrumental piece with significant value to the target culture/language. Students bring their own instruments. If you require a keyboard, please let us know at least a week ahead of time. Performances should be about 3 to 4 minutes. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the performance. The musical performance will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, and execution.

Poetry Creation: Students can perform a poem of their own creation on their own or as a group. The poem speaks of the learner’s (or learners’) language learning trajectory and/or discovery of features of the target language/culture that are inspiring or interesting to them. The poem should be at least 8 lines for individuals or at least 6 lines per student for a group. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the poem. The poem will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, execution, creativity, and clarity.

Poetry Recitation: Students can perform a poem on their own or as a group. The poem is meaningful and representative of the culture(s) of the people(s) who speak the target language. The poem should be at least 12 lines for individuals or at least 6 lines per student for a group. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the poem. The poem will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, execution, and clarity.

Short film: Students prepare a 3-4 minute short film in which they showcase linguistic and cultural knowledge within an interactive exchange. On the day of the event, the film will be shown to Language Celebration attendees, however, students need to submit the link to their film on You Tube to enieto@unomaha.edu by February 27, 2026. The film will be assessed in terms of linguistic and cultural accuracy, presentation, interpretation, and artistry. Short films should include captions in the target language.

Singing: Students may sing on their own or as a group. They may sing a cappella or with accompaniment. The song that is performed should represent the culture of the people(s) who speak the target language. This performance should last between 3 and 4 minutes. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the performance. The song will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, and execution. Judges receive a copy of the song.

Skit: Students prepare a 4-6 minute skit in which they showcase linguistic and cultural knowledge within an interactive exchange. On the day of the event, students provide a copy of their skit to the judges. The skit will be assessed in terms of linguistic and cultural accuracy, presentation, interpretation, and difficulty of the skit.

Song Creation: Students can sing on their own or as a group a song that they have created themselves. They can sing a cappella or with an accompaniment. The song that is performed is congruent with the culture(s) of the target language. This performance should last between 3 and 4 minutes. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the performance. The song will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, creativity, and execution. Judges receive a copy of the song.

(Physical) Poster: The poster prompt is Time Travel: Significant Events in World History. Students (individually or in group) depict and explain a historical event related to their target language in both words and images/pictures. The poster will be assessed in terms of content, quality, merit, creativity, artistry, and language use (this requires that language be present in the poster). The poster should not be larger than 18" x 22". It will be displayed flat on a wall.

Register for the Language Celebration

Students are invited to explore the foreign language programs at UNO (Spanish, Spanish for Health Sciences, French, German, Italian, and Japanese), connect with faculty and current students, and demonstrate their skills in language and cultural knowledge in various interactive events.

Teachers: Please use this registration form to register your students.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have created a frequently asked questions document that we continue to update with your questions and information about this event.

Language Celebration

Friday March 6, 2026 | 8:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.

Location: Milo Bail Student Center

University of Nebraska Omaha | Dodge Campus | 6001 Dodge St.

You will be dropped off by bus at the student center! Navigate towards the front of the building and proceed up the stairs to receive your schedules and descriptions of events.

Winners from the 2026 Language Celebration

Competition	Language & Level	Award	School & Teacher	Students
Dance	Chinese	First Place	Omaha South HS Gao Min Palmer	Sherly Y Gonzalez Munoz, Lah Kle(Lah) Paw
Poetry Creation	Chinese L1	First Place	Omaha South HSGao Min Palmer	Hena Tahamul, Jessica García-Velazquez
Poetry Creation	Chinese L2	First Place	Omaha South HS Gao Min Palmer	Cinthia Alvarado Roman, Juana A Tercero Ramos
Poetry Recitation	Chinese L1	First Place	Burke HSXuan Song	Kathin West
Poetry Recitation	Chinese L2	First Place	Omaha Westview Chen Zhang	Fenou Zinzindohue
Poster	Chinese L1	First Place	Burke HSXuan Song	Si Htoo
Poster	Chinese L1	Second Place	Burke HSXuan Song	Trish Nguyen
Poster	Chinese L2	First Place	Burke HSXuan Song	Kelsie Estwick
Poster	Chinese L2	Second Place	Burke HS Xuan Song	De De
Short Film	Chinese L2	First Place	Burke HS Xuan Song	Ace Steinke, Kukpaw Moo
Skit	Chinese L1	First Place	Omaha South HS Gao Min Palmer	Kimberly G Hernandez, Ashley Salinas-Mendoza, Karla Y Osorio-Merino, Ryan Rosales-Salais, Oscar Mireles Murillo, Jessica Garcia-Velasquez, Elizabeth Baptist
Skit	Chinese L2	First Place	Omaha South HS Gao Min Palmer	Liz M Adame, Kasy D Aguilera Barranco, Vanesa Garcia-Garcia, Rosa V Ramirez-Ulloa, Jordi Adame-Mejia, Jared Nunez
Song Performance	Chinese L1	First Place	Omaha South HS Gao Min Palmer	Tomasa M Xon
Song Performance	Chinese L2	First Place	Burke HS Xuan Song	Gracie Goodwin
Dance	French	First Place	Omaha Central HS Micah Ringlein	Elizabeth McGovern, Nichole Palfini
Musical Performance	French	First Place	Omaha Central HS Elizabeth Steinauer	Willow Eastwood
Poetry Creation	French L1	First Place	Millard South Terri Wright	Johanna Sievers
Poetry Creation	French L2	First Place	Omaha Central HS Micah Ringlein	Audriana Reese, Claudia Mauwa
Poetry Creation	French L2	Second Place	Omaha North HS Valerie Finch	Tr'Vaughn Williams
Poetry Recitation	French HL	First Place	Burke HS Michaela Quaas	Alexander Burn
Poetry Recitation	French L2	First Place	Omaha Central HS Micah Ringlein	Evan DeMaria, Paula Gutierrez Martinez, Marissa Harris
Poetry Recitaiton	French L2	Second Place	Omaha North HS Valerie Finch	Ivan O'Brien
Poster	French HL	First Place	Burke HS Michaela Quaas	Kodjo Dick (Baruch)
Poster	French HL	Second Place	Burke HS Michaela Quaas	Afiwa Naomi Comedja Agouthi and Favour Ngwa
Poster	French L1	First Place	Burke HS Michaela Quaas	Merci Hla
Poster	French L1	Second Place	Omaha Central HS Elizabeth Steinauer	Leyani Reeves, Jaci Albert
Poster	French L2	First Place	Omaha Central HS Micah Ringlein	Eleanor Caughlin, Willa Koehn, and Gabrielle Weberg
Poster	French L2	Second Place	Omaha Central HS Micah Ringlein	Dannie Worsley
Short Film	French L1	First Place	Omaha Central HS Elizabeth Steinauer	Dario Gutierrez-Martinez, Gregory Fong, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Hamza Hussein, Khalid Ismail
Short Film	French L1	Second Place	Omaha Central HS Elizabeth Steinauer	Maddie Vader, Alia Abdessalam, Claudia Dauner
Short Film	French L2	First Place	Burke HS Michaela Quaas	Halli Buckley and Vaughn Peters
Skit	French L2	First Place	Bryan Senior HS Alyssa Wattonville	Jasmine Martinez-Rosas, Maizie Sayles, Daniel Gomez Sanchez, Eduardo Ordonez Roig
Song Performance	French L1	First Place	Millard South HS Terri Wright	Ava Beaman
Song Performance	French L1	Second Place	Millard South HS Terri Wright	Alan Colmenares, Troy Peterson, Austin Owen, Osmar Menjivar, Danny Nguyen
Song Performance	French L2	First Place	Omaha Central HS Micah Ringlein	Tessa Priesman
Artwork	German	First Place	Gretna HS Kellye Deane	Lillian Bock
Artwork	German	Second Place	Columbus HS Trinia Perigo	Malynn Slizoski
Baking	German	First Place	Gretna HS Kellye Deane	Collette Brown
Baking	German	Second Place	Millard West HS Andrea Turner	Adela Knupp, Jaxson Peters
Dance	German	First Place	Columbus HS Trinia Perigo	Eli Munford, Angelina Manzano
Directed Dialogue	German L1	First Place	Irving MS Kelleen Rosebaugh	Benni Sindrason
Directed Dialogue	German L1	Second Place	Bellevue East HS Rae Fahrlander	David Lukens
Directed Dialogue	German L2	First Place	Gretna HS Kellye Deane	Arya Thompson
Directed Dialogue	German L2	Second Place	Lincoln HS Marissa Wanamaker	Verity Wegener
Musical Performance	German	First Place	Gretna HS Kellye Deane	Collette Brown, Kaylee Frederick, Lillian Bock
Musical Performance	German	Second Place	Lincoln HS Marissa Wanamaker	Lionel Berger
Poetry Creation	German L1	First Place	Lincoln HS Marissa Wanamaker	Quinn Bohaty
Poetry Creation	German L2	First Place	Millard South HS Jordan Pullen	Benni (Ben) Lucero-Moore
Poetry Creation	German L2	Second Place	Bellevue West HS Amanda Messerschmitt	Isaiah Nomiyama
Poetry Recitation	German L1	First Place	Bellevue East HS Rae Fahrlander	Fantasia Pickle
Poetry Recitation	German L2	First Place	Lincoln HS Marissa Wanamaker	Eleanor Erickson
Poster	German L1	First Place	Omaha North HS Amina Long	Nesah Ahamad, Noah Hall
Poster	German L1	Second Place	Omaha North HS Amina Long	Matthew Gleason, Sam Weber
Poster	German L2	First Place	Omaha North HS Amina Long	Autumn Baker, Titus Flower-Smith
Poster	German L2	Second Place	Lincoln HS Marisa Wanamaker	Eleanor Erickson & Emily Crotteau
Short Film	German L1	First Place	Gretna HS Kellye Deane	Lexi Anderson, Elsie McDonald, Jaxson Belitz, Liam Ruff
Short Film	German L2	First Place	Columbus HS Trinia Perigo	Ash Suchan, Allie Anderson, Gage Condreay
Short Film	German L2	Second Place	Columbus HS Trinia Perigo	Malynn Slizoski, Andrew Quail, Zoe Roehl, Eli Munford, Jason Hernandez, Angelina Manzano
Skit	German L2	First Place	Lincoln HS Marissa Wanamaker	Carter Haack, Emily Crotteau, Eleanor Erickson, Amalka Hruskova, Simon Brockmeier, Matilda Knops
Song Performance	German L1	First Place	Gretna HS Kellye Deane	Zu Par
Song Performance	German L2	First Place	Millard South HS Jordan Pullen	Roosevelt Wilken
Song Performance	German L2	Second Place	Millard West HS Andrea Turner	Alex Elgert
Dance	Japanese	First Place	Elkhorn North HS Mariko Anderson	Marlee Amill, Aariz Amin, Alyssa Formanes, Anhagalu Hasan, Noah Lindmier, kadence Morehouse
Poetry Recitation	Japanese L1	First Place	Elkhorn North HS Mariko Anderson	Addison Hardin
Poetry Recitation	Japanese L1	Second Place	Elkhorn South HS John Taylor	Sophia Steckelberg
Poetry Recitation	Japanese L2	First Place	Elkhorn South HS John Taylor	Jonathan Wiesenfeld
Poetry Recitation	Japanese L2	Second Place	Elkhorn HS Mariko Anderson	Lena Pringle
Skit	Japanese L1	First Place	Elkhorn North HS Mariko Anderson	Marlee Amill, Aariz Amin, Alyssa Formanes, Anhagalu Hasan, Noah Lindmier, kadence Morehouse
Skit	Japanese L1	Second Place	Elkhorn South HS John Taylor	Nicolas Abagge Gomes Serrajordia De Mello, Aliette Dixson, Jamison Pignotti, Natalie Sedlick, Amy Song, Jackson Spracklin, Hazel Yoo
Skit	Japanese L2	First Place	Elkhorn South HS John Taylor	Eva Macken, Makinley Reischl-O'Connell, Hugo Wang
Skit	Japanese L2	Second Place	Elkhorn South HS John Taylor	Audrey Barnhart, Ryan Chae, Abigail Hu, Logan Little, Wyatt Lowrance, Kate McShannon, Ethan Mechals, Alex Nguyen, Lillian Stevens, Jillian Stratton, Jonathan Wiesenfeld, Johnathan Wu, Misty Yang
Song Performance	Japanese L1	First Place	Elkhorn South HS John Taylor	Layla Bowers
Song Performance	Japanese L1	Second Place	Elkhorn South HS John Taylor	Miya Knudsen
Song Performance	Japanese L2	First Place	Elkhorn South HS John Taylor	Abigail Hu
Song Performance	Japanese L2	Second Place	Elkhorn South HS John Taylor	Kate McShannon, Audrey Barnhart, Lillian Stevens, Misty Yang
Dance	Spanish	First Place	Burke HS José Sequeros-Valle	Hanna Melara, Mayrin Quebrado Juarez, Monica Ovando Sanchez, and Alexa Torres Flores
Dance	Spanish	Second Place	Omaha North HS Elizabeth Johnson	Angela Rodas Rodas, Cindy Antunez Rodriguez, Elena Bejines Cruz, Halsey Oviedo Quintanilla, Helen Hernandez, Keilyn Rivera, Luz Mejia Ulloa, Sahory Tolentino Ramirez, Wendy Rodriguez, Kiara Anguiano Palmerin, Joana Tinoco Jimenez, Oreysis Martinez Roque, Valeria Rodriguez Garcia
Musical Performance	Spanish	First Place	Omaha North HS Elizabeth Johnson	Christopher Mendoza, Henry Hernandez Serrano, Kenny Hernandez Serrano, Ash Quist, Oreysis Martinez Roque
Musical Performance	Spanish	Second Place	Bellevue East HS Piper Porras	Julian Pulido
Poetry Creation	Spanish HL	First Place	Bellevue East HS Piper Porras	Ariana Valeria Ruiz Contreras
Poetry Creation	Spanish HL	Second Place	Buena Vista HS Amy Lopez Hernandez	Anthony Rojas
Poetry Creation	Spanish L1	First Place	Millard South HS Erin Beiriger	Lanie Tselentis
Poetry recitation	Spanish HL	First Place	Bellevue East HS Piper Porras	Brayan Sanchez Maradiaga
Poetry recitation	Spanish HL	Second Place	Bellevue East HS Piper Porras	Emely Perez Cerpa, Kimberly Torres Lopez
Poetry recitation	Spanish L1	First Place	Burke HS Jill Boyer	Jaslene Smith
Poetry recitation	Spanish L2	First Place	Omaha Westview HS Kathryn Rosinsky	Lily-Marie Kracke
Poetry recitation	Spanish L2	Second Place	Bellevue East HS Piper Porras	TayLana Tolbert
Poster	Spansih HL	First Place	Buena Vista HS Amy Lopez Hernandez	Alejandra Ramirez, Yanira Chino Charrazco, Emily Ramirez Solorzano
Poster	Spansih HL	Second Place	Buena Vista HS Amy Lopez Hernandez	Emmanuel Lopez, Ezequiel Lopez
Poster	Spanish L1	First Place	Omaha Central HS Denise Forrest	Zoey Cornelius, Harper Gniffke-Leak, Elizabeth Deck
Poster	Spanish L1	Second Place	Omaha Central HS Denise Forrest	Jackson Koopman, Cora Kommer, Addison Loseke
Poster	Spanish L2	First Place	Omaha South HS Robin Marlowe	Jennifer Sanchez Reyes
Poster	Spanish L2	Second Place	Burke HS Jill Boyer	Lana Tran
Short Film	Spanish HL	First Place	Thomas Jefferson HS Samantha Silva	Oliver Vides Gomez, Jorge Caamal, Emiliano Ledesma Ceballos
Short Film	Spanish HL	Second Place	Omaha Westview HS Kathryn Ronsisky	Harim Salcedo, Ismael Tellez, Nicole Toledo Hernandez, Angel Castellanos-Reyes, Cynthia Utrera
Short Film	Spanish L1	First Place	Omaha Central HS Denise Forrest	Imtiaz Husain
Short Film	Spanish L2	First Place	Burke HS Jill Boyer	Micky Adler, Tarek Baydoun, Roselyn Brito Ovato, Calaya Brown, Brody Busing, Angelica Cortes-Clark, Jocelyn Cotton-Hill, Lilly Doke, and Ariyah Miles
Skit	Spanish HL	First Place	Buena Vista HS Amy Lopez Hernandez	Estefany Mancia Varela, Simon Ronquillo, Jennifer Lemus, Camila Lara, Yazmin Hernandez Banderas
Skit	Spanish L2	First Place	Platteview HS Kirsten Ehrke	Kinsley Knief, Brooke Prugger, Trenton Baughman, Isaac Lawrence, Sully Vanosdall, Maddie Romans, and Erin Wyss
Song Performance	Spansih HL	First Place	Omaha Central HS Juan Trejo	Hellen Jordan Salguero
Song Performance	Spanish L2	First Place	Burke HS José Sequeros-Valle	Kenny McMorris Jr.

Registration

A $5 fee per student is required upon registration. Lunch will be provided.

Registration and payment are due by February 8, 2026, but payments are NOT part of the registration process and can be submitted before or after registration.

Payment Options:
- If you are paying by credit card, debit card, or bank account, pay here.
- If you are paying by check, please follow the directions below:
  - Contact Marie Lee to arrange payment and request your invoice ASAP. Her contact info is mglee@unomaha.edu or 402.554.4841
  - Write your check to UNO World Languages and Literature. In the memo include the name of teacher and number of students you are paying for.
  - Send your check to: Marie Lee World Languages and Literature 6001 Dodge Street, 301 ASH University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE 68182-0192
  - Once you send the check, email Marie Lee (mglee@unomaha.edu) once you send the check.

Schedule

For additional questions about registration, please email Elena Nieto (enieto@unomaha.edu). For other questions about payment, please reach out to Marie Lee (mglee@unomaha.edu).

Announcements

Meet the Faculty

The faculty in the Department of World Languages and Literature support our students through language learning and research.

Our Instructors

Contact Us

Main Office
6001 Dodge Street, 301 ASH
Omaha, NE 68182-0192
Phone: 402.554.4841
Fax:
Email: mglee@unomaha.edu
Office Hours
Mon-Fri, 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M..