“What's remarkable is that we were able to maintain our curriculum and cocurricular programs—and to increase our program enrollment—in spite of the many academic challenges the past year and a half,” says Mr. Sapp.  

The distinction recognizes achievements related to student activities and growth in program numbers. Since 2019, the program has added an additional section, and French remains the second most commonly selected language by Loyola students. It also recognizes the professional contributions of faculty members. All three of Loyola’s French teachers  traveled to the AATF Convention in Martinique and all three have extended experiences in Francophone countries as part of their educational training. Furthermore, Mr. Sapp is serving in his second term as the elected president of the Chicago and Northern Illinois AATF chapter, the nation’s largest, and he was recently elected to serve for the next three years as the AATF Region VI Representative. Ms. Kendrigan continues to serve as 2nd vice president in the chapter and as editor of the quarterly newsletter Francofeuilles.

Loyola’s collaborative dual-credit program with St. Louis University helped to distinguish it from other French language programs. “This was an option we offered to our French IV and  Honors French IV students,” explains Mr. Sapp, who notes that the department is looking forward to next year’s collaboration—this time, a new partnership with Loyola University Chicago. 

Ms. Kendrigan, Mrs. McNally and Mr. Sapp will receive a plaque and certificate from National Headquarters, as well as a voucher for materials from the AATF store. AATF has asked Loyola’s teachers to share their dossier of lessons and classroom activities as a model application for other schools.