Four Hamilton students participated in a First-Year Russian Language "Olympics," held at Syracuse University on Saturday, April 3. Valery Danilack ('06), Brett Greenspan ('06), Meredith Paddock ('06), and Ross Ufberg ('07) joined undergraduates from Cornell, Hobart-William Smith, SUNY-Binghamton, Syracuse University, Union College, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to compete in various Russian language activities.
The students were tested in four areas: recitation from memory of "Ptichka," a poem by Alexander S. Pushkin; a 4-minute extemporaneous speech on their interests and background; a written exam; and a sight reading. Professors from the seven institutions served as judges, and, at the end of the day, tabulated scores to award prizes to the top participants. Greenspan finished second in the 28-student event, and all four Hamilton students ranked in the top four of at least one of the events. The event also provided the opportunity for Russian language students from the participating institutions to interact and socialize.
