This year, 41 Spanish III Honors students prepared for the National Spanish Exam — and earned nine gold medals, 17 silver medals, nine bronze medals and six honorable mentions.

“We have ranked in the top of all of Southern California,” Spanish teacher Nora Fels said.

With more than 37,000 tests administered nationwide during the 2014-2015 school year, the National Spanish Exam (NSE) is the most widely used Spanish language test in the United States. Sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, the exam measures proficiency and achievement of the Spanish language and has been readily integrated within Oak Park High School’s Spanish III Honors curriculum.

“It provided the students with expanded vocabulary and the ability to work on their reading and listening comprehension, allowing them to compare their achievements with other schools,” Fels said.

In addition, the NSE preparation helps students for the Spanish SAT Subject test.

“The hardest part for NSE was the immense amount of vocabulary that I needed to know. However, by continually practicing, the actual NSE was easier than I thought it would be,” sophomore Bianca Beccera said.

Fels organized an NSE Awards Ceremony on May 28, where students received their official medals and certificates. After the ceremony, students relaxed and ate cake.

Spanish III students felt that the NSE exam enhanced their study of the language.

“It exposed me to more Spanish culture,” sophomore Pranav Maddhali said.

Oak Park Superintendent Tony Knight recognized award recipients in a letter commemorating their success in foreign language.

“Speaking a second language opens up many opportunities and enriches one’s life,” Knight wrote.