German Club paved their way to state level competition on Feb. 1, taking home first place for Folk Dancing, Traditional Choir, Modern Choir, Grammar Test and Sight Reading, as well as claiming 2nd and 4th place titles in many other events.

“When I was taking German and joined its club freshman year, I knew I would have so many more opportunities than I would if I were taking Spanish,” junior Katherine Prine said. “With competitions and a potential trip to Germany, I really feel like I made the best choice in taking German.”

Junior Suzanne Derouen who participated in Folk Dancing, agreed.

“Competition seemed like so much fun, I had to join,” Derouen said. “The authenticity of it all is really what makes it interesting.”

The nature of the competition keeps it strictly traditional, each event staying close to German customs.

“Even our costumes are made in Germany,” Derouen said. “It’s very cool to deeply delve into a culture I wouldn’t have otherwise learned about.”

The dancing is coed, with parts laid out especially for each gender.

“One time, all us girls decided to teach ourselves a dance move always reserved just for men,” Derouen said. “It’s really fun to do, but we’ll never be able to do it anywhere. We directly stick to customs.”

In total, the club performs five different dances.

“My favorite would have to be what we like to call the pretzel dance,” Derouen said. “It’s super complex, with lots of different levels. It’s fun to figure out.”

Prine not only performed in Folk Dancing, but also achieved fourth place in Prose Reading.

“We read a lot of fairytales in class,” Prince said. “I just chose one I found really interesting, Rumpelstiltskin.”

Prine is no stranger to competing in German. She has qualified for state three times.

“But this is only the second time I’ve been able to go,” Prine said.  “Last year, I had to go to science fair instead.”

Prine said she is confident going into their oncoming state competition.

“People always say our football team is the best, or our basketball team is the best,” Prine said. “But we know our folk dancing is the best, too.”