Global Languages Showcase

All middle and high school students enrolled in a language class during the current academic year are welcome to participate.

A maximum of three students per teacher may enter the varsity-level individual project competition, which will be evaluated by MSU faculty. Projects may be art, models, costumes, videos, or artworks inspired by the target culture. The students will display their projects to the public during the showcase. To submit a competitive varsity project proposal, use the Varsity Project Submission Form.

Guidelines:

• The deadline to submit a project proposal is September 22, 2023.
• Projects should be the original work of the student (no kits) and be completed during the current school year. The projects may consist of poster presentations, videos, dioramas, clothing, or other kinds of artwork (painting, drawing, etc.) that demonstrate thoughtful academic engagement with a world language or culture.
• Projects will be judged primarily on knowledge of the target language and culture, but also on originality, creativity, and overall quality and craftsmanship.
• Participants will provide a brief written and oral description and interact with the judge about the historical context and/or cultural relevance of the project, all in the target language at the appropriate proficiency level.
• Videos will not exceed three minutes. Students should bring their own equipment, including external speakers for laptops, and will check all equipment to ensure everything works properly beforehand.
• For projects related to cuisine/cooking, no actual food is allowed on the premises due to Curris Center rules.
• Heritage Speakers are students who are regularly exposed to a language other than English at home. They may compete in the varsity event.
• Exchange Students (defined here as students from another country temporarily attending school in the U.S.) may not compete in the varsity event in their native language, but if they are students of a different language, they may compete in their language of study.

• The registration deadline is September 22, 2023. Register using the 2023 Showcase Registration Form.
• The registration fee is $5 per student. Make checks payable to Murray State University and send them to Department of Global Languages, 4A Faculty Hall, Murray State University, Murray KY 42071.

A limited amount of travel vouchers is available to help with travel expenses. Send your request and a purchase order from your school’s central accounting office to Stephanie Peck at speck@murraystate.edu or 270.809.2501. Schools outside of Calloway Co. have priority; otherwise, first come, first served.

At the conclusion of the Showcase, you and your students are welcome to stay and have lunch at the Curris Center.

You are also invited to schedule a campus tour for your students with the Murray State Office of Recruitment by calling 800.272.4678. 

If you plan to stay for lunch and/or a campus tour, please let us know by contacting Stephanie Peck at speck@murraystate.edu or 270.809.2501.

2019 Varsity Winners

• 1^st Place Intermediate Spanish
  Hannah Funkhouse, Madisonville North Hopkins High School
• 2^nd Place Intermediate Spanish
  Hannah Mabry, Community Christian Academy
• 3^rd Place Intermediate Spanish
  Eden Cunningham, Murray Home School

2018 Varsity Winners

• 1^st Place Intermediate French:
  Jaret Rushing, Henry County High School
• 1^st Place Intermediate Spanish:
  Matthew Johnston, SC Murray Homeschool
• 2^nd Place Intermediate Spanish:
  Haley Brotherton, Madisonville-North Hopkins High School
• 3^rd Place Intermediate Spanish:
  Jaden Estes, Community Christian Academy

2017 Varsity Winners:

• 1^st Place Intermediate Spanish:
  Avery Thompson, Murray High School
• 2^nd Place Intermediate Spanish:
  Emily Drew, Murray High School
• 3^rd Place Intermediate Spanish
  Jung-Woo Hong, Murray High School
• 1^st Place Advanced Spanish
  Ashtin McKinney, Murray High School

2016 Varsity Winners:

• 1^st Place Intermediate Group French:
  A. Littlebrant, C. Key and C. Cooper, Murray High School
• 1^st Place Intermediate Individual French:
  Chloe Jones, Calloway County High School
• 1^st Place Intermediate Group Spanish:
  Jacob Paluso and Jung-Woo Hong, Murray High School
• 1^st Place Advanced Group Spanish:
  Ian Smith and Mathai Karanja, Murray High School
• 2^nd Place Advanced Group Spanish:
  Samuel Morgan and Gustavo Leon, Murray High School
• 1^st Place Intermediate Individual Spanish:
  Preston Baggett, Fulton County High School
• 2^nd Place Intermediate Individual Spanish:
  Nathan Ward, Ms. Beck’s Spanish Course
• 3^rd Place Intermediate Individual Spanish:
  Avery Thompson, Murray High School
• 1^st Place Advanced Individual Spanish:
  Megan M. Wilson, Murray High School