Any competition can be exciting, and a competition of French is no exception. Texas French Symposium, or TFS, is a statewide non-profit French competition that includes many events featuring the French language. The competition is located in San Marcos, Texas, and includes several rounds of competition, including sight reading, poetry, singing, prose, drama and memorization. The teams that win in an event advance to the next round. The events were held at Klein Forest High School on March 27 and 28.

“TFS is a state-level competition with different levels,” junior Monisha Dhaneskar said. “If a team’s presentation is well done, then they call you back for the next round and you’ll present again.”

Dhaneskar has experience in French competitions, which explains her determination for competing this year.

“Previously, at Jasper, I participated in a school district French competition,” Dhaneskar said. “I liked the experience, so I decided to do it again at state-level.”
Dhaneskar considers the language as a passion of hers.

“I chose French as my foreign language freshman year and I loved it,” Dhaneskar said. “I think I’ve learned a lot, and I find the language itself very interesting.”

Senior Lauren Gutierrez is positive that West will be announced the winner of TFS. Along with many other extracurricular activities, French is just another one of West’s crown jewels as far as curriculum goes.

“We have a really strong French program here,” Gutierrez said. “Madame Dupuis-Ho is a really good teacher, and Plano West has a history of winning.”
Traditionally, TFS is a program that assists competitors in becoming more enriched in the French language and culture.

“Being in TFS looks really good on college resumes,” Gutierrez said, “and it’s something fun you can do with your classmates to get involved with school more.”
Junior Alan Pham has an interesting take on his admiration of French.

“I’m Vietnamese, and so I love French because of the history in our culture,” Pham said. “At one time, the French colonized Vietnam, and the culture link between the two countries is really intriguing to me.”

Like Gutierrez and Dhaneskar, Pham is sure that West will be declared the winner of this competition.

“I definitely think that West has a really high chance at winning,” Pham said. “The French teacher is really good at what she does, and our French department is prestigious.”
Pham is also excited to be able to participate in Fete Francais this year.

“I’ve never been to a French competition, so I think I’ll enjoy the experience,” Pham said.
West ended up getting 3^rd place in the state. Senior Tiffany Mi was the highest ranking student of West. earning 7^th place out of all of the competitors in Texas.