LPS students earn coveted world language awards

April 6, 2026

State officials rewarded Lincoln Public Schools students for their hard work in world language subjects with top-tier recognition this spring.
 
Nebraska Department of Education leaders recognized students from across the state with the Distinguished World Language Scholar Award and Student Language Spotlight Award. Fourteen pupils earned 2026 awards for their work in LPS classrooms. They received their honors during the 2026 Nebraska World Language Week celebration.

Averie Andersen said all Nebraska students can benefit from becoming proficient in other languages. She earned the award in 2025 for her talents in Spanish. She felt this year’s group of recipients would profit in many ways from their efforts.

“I believe learning a world language is crucial for connecting cultures, opening opportunities to form new relationships and gaining knowledge about how the world works,” Andersen said.
 
Teachers nominated students for the Distinguished World Language Scholar Award for their outstanding leadership in language learning. Recipients also demonstrated strong communicative skills, a sustained commitment to language study and an appreciation for world cultures.
 
Student Language Spotlight Award recipients demonstrated evidence of exceptional learning in their world language classrooms. The award celebrates a high level of language proficiency and cultural understanding. Students could receive prizes in artwork, craft, writing, project, audio recording and grammar quiz categories.
 
A committee of experienced world language professionals evaluated submissions for this year’s awards. Students relied on the LPS world language curriculum to achieve their goals. The LPS curriculum includes world language competency-based credits, proficiency targets for each semester of instruction and grading guidelines for speaking, listening, writing and reading.
 
The following students earned 2026 awards. They are listed with their names, award categories, LPS buildings and LPS world language teachers. The list includes students whose families have provided permission for the NDE to release their names and LPS to release their names and photos.

2026 LPS Student Language Spotlight Award Recipients

Chinese Language Learning

Isaac Jaberian Doraji: Writing, Level 1, North Star High School, Chun-Yi Coral Su
Merilyn Ho: Writing, Level 3, North Star High School, Chun-Yi Coral Su
Suzy Hanley: Writing, Level 4, North Star High School, Chun-Yi Coral Su
Uyen Nguyen: Writing, Level 2, North Star High School, Chun-Yi Coral Su

German Language Learning

Eleanor Erickson: Writing, Level 4, Lincoln High, Marissa Wanamaker
Velma Haffey: Project, Level 1, Lincoln High, Marissa Wanamaker
Verity Wegener: Audio Recording, Level 5+, Lincoln High, Marissa Wanamaker

2026 LPS Distinguished World Language Scholar Award – High Honor

Arabic Language Learning

Alaam Ahmed: Arabic Intermediate Mid (Heritage Level 3), Northeast High School, Nael Hijjo
Sajjad Al-Far’Ani: Arabic Intermediate Low (Heritage Level 2), Northeast High School, Nael Hijjo
Wajiha Alhussein: Arabic Intermediate High (Heritage Level 4), Culler Middle School, Nael Hijjo

Chinese Language Learning

Anh Bui: Chinese Novice (Level 1 and 2), North Star High School, Chun-Yi Coral Su

Spanish Language Learning

Ruihan Jiang: Spanish Intermediate Low (Level 3 and 4), Northwest High School, Danielle Fulcher

2026 Distinguished World Language Scholar Award – Honor

Chinese Language Learning

Abby Pham: Chinese Novice (Level 1 and 2), North Star High School, Chun-Yi Coral Su

French Language Learning

Manyiel Manyiel: French Novice (Level 1 and 2), Northwest High School, Jorge Ortega Roman

Discover how LPS students benefit from their world language classes.
 
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