Part 3 - Alliance Française d`OKC

His careful and patient
explanations of the
healthcare system were
greatly appreciated by
Tatiana Viallaneix, who
accompanied her student
along with Liz Romero, one
of the host family parents.
speak with Paul Ziert,
former OU gymnastics
coach and current manager
for Bart Conner and Nadia
Comaneci. She was also
fortunate, and of course,
thrilled to meet Nadia
Comaneci.
Ophélie Dauteuille, was
hosted by Victoria Mediouni
and her family. Even before
her arrival, Victoria and
Ophélie had been in contact
several times. As a
competitive gymnast in
France, she was interested
in researching Athletes and
the Importance of
Competitive Sports in the
U.S. She was able to conduct
interviews and gather
information from
questionnaires she
distributed concerning
student participation and
views about all sports
offered at Mustang.
Mustang’s cheer sponsor,
Risa Demeter, allowed
Ophélie to come to cheer
practice and interview
those students. .Another
certain highlight for her
during her stay in Oklahoma
was her visit to the Bart
Conner Gymnastics
Academy in Norman.
Mustang Spanish teacher,
Maria Glyckherr, arranged
the visit where Ophélie was
able to tour the facilities,
Quentin Cunha, was hosted
by the Dahlvang family.
They have already made
plans and booked flights to
visit him and his family in
France in July! His
research topic was How to
Build to Resist Tornadoes.
He is a student in
architecture. Thanks to one
of Mustang High School’s,
English teachers, Gayla
Case, Quentin was able to
interview Cabot Eudaley,
Structural Engineer, with
Mark Eudaley’s Engineers.
Mr. Eudaley showed Quentin
the plans of the C building of
Mustang HS that he
designed. He also addressed
Quentin’s topic about wind
resistant construction, as
well as, other aspects of
structural engineering
based on location and
elevation of the
construction.
facilitating an interview
with Zack Woods, Project
Manager, at Butzer Gardner
Architects. The experience
was thrilling and
informative for Quentin. He
not only met Zack Woods
but also other engineers and
colleagues of Mr. Woods’
team.
Some of the French
students also visited
Piedmont and Putnam City
High Schools, Reagan
Elementary (French
Immersion Program) in
Norman and Westminster
School Lower Division in
OKC. They enjoyed visiting
diverse facilities and
meeting with different
students and faculty.
At Piedmont HS, Quentin
was able to speak with
Layne Jones, Principal at
the High School, about his
hobby as a storm chaser. Mr.
Jones provided Quentin
with a file of
his photos. Jill Singletary
and her daughter, Rainey,
spoke about their
experience in
the devastating tornado of
2011 and showed slides.
Another big thanks must be
Shawn Blankenship,
given to Anne Chamberlain
Principal at Piedmont
of Piedmont High School
Intermediate,
and Bill Gouldy, a friend and
retired French teacher, for
gave Quentin a tour of the
safe rooms and explained
the complete process of that
new construction.
Thomas was able to observe
the Piedmont HS, Pride of
Piedmont band, thanks to
Toni Myers, Percussion,
Drumline teacher. The band
went on to win the state
competition, the weekend
after Thomas’ visit.
Knowing Adeline’s love of
everything country and
western, the French Club
officers of Piedmont treated
Adeline to a special dinner
at Toby Keith’s, during a
joint evening outing with
students from Mustang,
Piedmont and Putnam City
High Schools. All of the
other French Fellows and
participating students went
to dinner at Earl’s BBQ, and
everyone had a frightful
time at the Bricktown
Haunted Warehouse.
One other wonderful
highlight for Mustang host
families, and French Fellows
alike, was attending the preseason OKC Thunder
basketball game against the
Denver Nuggets.
I know that many of these
students have made life-long
friends with their American
host families and other
students. The cross-cultural
exchange is ongoing. Not
only did the French
students improve their
language skills and conduct
research on their chosen
topics, they also learned
about daily American life in
central Oklahoma through
their first-hand experiences
and interactions and built
relationships of
understanding and
exchange that will endure.
I look forward to
accompanying the selected
American Fellows next
March as they research
their chosen topics and
experience French life at
school and with their host
families in Picardy, France.
If you would like more information or would like to
make a donation to the Alliance Française d’OKC
Eleanor Kirkpatrick Franco - American Fellows
program, please visit our website :
http://afdokc.org/education/fellows-program/
Around AFdOKC This Past Fall
On September 26th Forward Foods &
On October 20th AFdOKC participated in the
Alliance Française d’OKC held a French
French Film screening of, “The Other Son”
Wine & Cheese tasting event at Forward
or “Le fils de l’Autre” at Oklahoma City
Foods in Oklahoma City. Several were in
University’s Meinders School of Business
attendance to enjoy the tasting of Roquefort,
Kerr McGee Auditorium.
Comté, and St. Nectaire cheeses.
Les médias et l’école
OFLTA
Alliance Française d'OKC and
the University of Central
Oklahoma hosted
AFdOKC participated in the
Oklahoma Foreign Language
Teachers’ Association September
representatives from the
French Consulate in Houston,
28th conference to present the
Eleanor Kirkpatrick Franco -
Texas for two workshop
sessions.
American Fellows Program.
Alliance Française d’OKC is proud to announce the
2014 Eleanor Kirkpatrick Fellows!
...
Genesa Cefali, "French Glottochronology and Linguistics" - Edmond Santa Fe & UCO
(Concurrent)
Erin Melton, "How Secular is Secularism?" - Westmoore High School
Alex Myers, "Preparing to Choose a Career" -Heritage Hall
Caroline Shepard, "Citizen ou Citoyen" - Westmoore High School
Samantha Waters, "Impact of Racism in France" - Edmond North High School
Alexa Lihyaoui, "Role and Perception of Islam in Picardy" - Putnam City High School
Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé !
Karen McChesney
Despite the poor weather forecast that Friday evening, there was a
very good turn out for the inaugural AF d'OKC Beaujolais Fête and
Film fundraiser event at the Paramount OKC. All proceeds benefit the
Alliance Française d'Oklahoma City Eleanor Kirkpatrick FrancoAmerican Fellows Program. A fun time was shared by all who
attended.
The wine went quite well with the tasty, savory and sweet buffet
generously provided by Coco Flow, Deep Fork Grill, Forward
Foods, Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, Metro Wine Bar and Bistro,
Paramount OKC and Prairie Thunder Baking Company.
Your presence and support were greatly appreciated. I hope to see
you and many others join the celebration next year, too.
Merci à toutes et à tous!
PO Box 414
OKC, OK 73101