The American Association of Teachers of French recently named senior Eric Digioia the recipient of its 2015 Outstanding Senior in French Award. This award is given annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in the study of French as well as exceptional commitment to the French language and the many cultures where it is spoken.

French teacher Jennifer Walker said she is happy for Eric’s recognition.

“I’m so glad he won the award,” French teacher Jennifer Walker said. “He’s always been sort of a prodigy. He came in two years ago already fluent in Spanish and his first year he fell in love with it, which led him to doing the second year online over the summer to get ahead. He’s progressed so quickly and I’m really excited for him.”

News of the recognition took Digioia by surprise.

“I was pretty shocked when I won the award,” he said. “I didn’t really expect to win anything because I just enjoy doing French as it is. Getting an award is just the cherry on top.”

Besides being the President of the French Honor Society, D.Gioio received the award due to having studied French for the equivalent four years, having participated in National French Week and having participated in the French State Competition where he returned decorated.

The minimum requirements to be eligible for the award are having studied at least three years of French and being a non native speaker of the language.

By Jett Morgan