Garden City, NY – Susanna Phinney, a 10th-grade student at Garden City High School (GCHS), has been awarded an all-expenses-paid summer study trip to Germany. The prestigious award recognizes her exceptional performance on the Level 3 of the 2026 National German Exam for High School Students, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG).
Phinney was selected as a national winner after excelling on the exam, which involved not only a high score on the initial assessment but also thoughtful responses to essay questions in both German and English, followed by an interview with a committee of high school teachers and college professors specializing in German language, and culture. The National German Exam, administered annually, assesses the proficiency of nearly 22,000 high school students across the United States studying German at various levels.
She is one of just 36 outstanding German students chosen from across the country to receive this honor. The study trip, now in its 66th year, is made possible by a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany and includes round-trip airfare from a U.S. Airport, a homestay with a German family, and guided excursions to culturally and historically significant sites. This immersive experience aims to deepen students’ understanding of the German language and culture firsthand.
“This year’s prize winners are some of the finest students in the US,” said Michael Shaughnessy, Executive Director of the AATG, in a statement. “The prize is a great reward for excellence in learning German—and the best way to better gain to know a fascinating language and culture through firsthand experiences living with a German family and attending school.”
Phinney and the other winners will embark on their journey to Germany this summer. She is a student of Frau Basile, the dedicated German teacher at GCHS, whose guidance and instruction played a crucial role in her success. Frau Basile’s commitment to her students has consistently yielded impressive results in the National German Exam.
The AATG, founded in 1926, is a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and improvement of German language, literature, and culture instruction at all levels. The organization provides resources and support to German teachers nationwide, fostering a vibrant community of educators and learners. The National German Exam itself serves as a valuable diagnostic tool for teachers, providing feedback on student performance and identifying areas for improvement.
This award isn’t just a personal achievement for Phinney; it also reflects positively on Garden City High School and its German language program. The school has a history of success in the National German Exam, with several students earning Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards in recent years. In 2025, Sarah Phinney (11th grade) and Susanna Phinney (9th grade) both earned Gold awards, while Justin Woodbine (12th grade), Mariella Parlanti (9th grade), and Sonakshi Arora (9th grade) received Silver awards. Bronze awards were given to Leila Massina (12th grade), James Trocchia (12th grade), Liam Rogers (9th grade), and Margot Hearon (9th grade). Additional students received achievement awards recognizing their dedication to German studies.
The AATG also identifies students eligible for a study trip award based on exceptional test scores – achieving at least the 90th percentile. Both Susanna Phinney and her sister, Sarah Phinney, qualified for this distinction, highlighting the family’s commitment to German language learning.
For students considering studying German, the National German Exam provides a benchmark for progress and an opportunity to showcase their skills. The exam covers material typically learned in second, third, and fourth-year German courses, assessing reading comprehension, listening comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary. It’s a rigorous test, but one that rewards dedication and hard work.
The upcoming summer trip represents a significant opportunity for Phinney to immerse herself in German culture and further develop her language skills. Living with a host family will provide invaluable insights into daily life in Germany, while the excursions will expose her to the country’s rich history and cultural heritage. This experience is likely to have a lasting impact on her academic and personal growth.
As Phinney prepares for her trip, the Garden City community celebrates her achievement and wishes her a rewarding and enriching experience in Germany. The success of students like Phinney underscores the importance of language education and the benefits of international exchange programs.
The next step for Phinney is finalizing travel arrangements and preparing for her homestay experience. She and the other award recipients will travel to Germany this summer, embarking on a journey that promises to be both educational and transformative.
Readers can follow Garden City High School’s updates on their Facebook page for further information and photos from the trip.
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