Out of 13,300 students nationwide, Filipp Dmitriev (’25) earned a spot as one of the top 22 players in the Level B National Francophone Trivia Contest. This accomplishment highlights his proficiency in French and his deep understanding of francophone culture, history, and global influence.
“I’m taking the excellent French program at Amador Valley High School, taught by our amazing teacher, Madame Benadjaoud. She shares these opportunities with us and encourages us to participate. I was pretty happy [with my ranking], but I was also surprised because I just did it for fun,” said Dmitriev.
The Contest
The contest, hosted by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), is part of French National Week. It is open to French students from grade six through college undergraduates, with two divisions: Level A (Beginner) and Level B (Intermediate/Advanced). Round one consists of 25 cultural questions about the French-speaking world, administered in classrooms through Kahoot. Top scorers then advance to the Finals Round.
“[The AATF] encourages teachers to sign up for this during French National Week. They send out a trivia contest played on the national level, and I just administered it,” explained Madame Benadjaoud, Dmitriev’s French teacher.
Dmitriev’s success comes from both dedication and passion for the language. “He started very early with Duolingo and even visited France in the spring. He’s just interested, and once you love something, you put your heart into it,” said Benadjaoud.
To prepare for the contest, students study francophone cultures, explore geography, history, and art, and practice using online resources and past questions. The final round, held on Dec. 15 via Zoom, will test students’ knowledge further.
“I’ve been looking up French authors and artists because those are my weak points. I like geography, so I use flashcards for that. But I’m an optimist, so maybe I’ll win the whole contest,” said Dmitriev.
For Dmitriev, this experience has only deepened his love for French and opened doors for his future.
“I included [the contest] on my application to a French university program. Maybe I’ll get accepted and study in France. But above all, have fun with the subject you’re learning and stay curious,” he shared.
Dmitriev’s achievements not only inspire his peers but also reflect the value of passion and perseverance in mastering a new language.
