Photo Provided by Mrs. Shelly Thornton

The Spanish students on a trip to Missouri State University. Bottom row: Caitlin Cook, Piper Logan, Reese Wells. Middle row: Abby Bartain, Kaylle Kolb, Destiny Bridges, Brennyn Smith, Pearl holland, Lee Beller, Bailey Smoot, Kaylee Adamson, Skyelar Farthing, London Beltz, Shelley Thornton, Kendall Gentry, Collin Emery (below Collin and Kendall), Mariah Worreo, Tesa Harrell, Isaac Walters, Luke Busher. Top row: Anthony Madsen, Chase Hale, Allison Sechler, Lyla Bell, Gage Hill, Elise Jackson, Finn Harp, Kaden Lambert, David Turner, Jacob Milton.

Fair Grove has many activities involving Spanish. Fair Grove offers four different levels of Spanish class and culture club. The Spanish program also takes several field trips throughout the year. 

Spanish classes are beneficial for many of the students at Fair Grove. Mrs. Thornton, the Spanish teacher at Fair Grove, explained, “Spanish 1 & 2 are two courses that you can complete to get the College Prep Certificate. Spanish 3 & 4 are both weighted classes in addition to being Dual Credit courses through Missouri State University.” 

Thornton passionately shared more about the benefits of taking Spanish in Fair Grove, “Students who complete several Spanish courses at Fair Grove have the opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish which is highly respected by many employers in the state as well.”

Piper Logan (12) has gone her entire high school career being involved in Spanish. Logan believed that learning Spanish will open up opportunities after high school, saying, “I am in Spanish 4 along with being a student aid for Spanish one.” She continued, “I decided to take Spanish because I enjoy learning the language, and I feel that it has so many benefits and can be so beneficial for my future.”

Thornton explained her interest, “I have always been interested in Spanish and started studying it in eighth grade. I took Spanish classes in high school and college, but studying abroad in Spain really made me fall in love with the language and experiences and opportunities available to people who can speak it.” 

Thornton added, “…after living in Madrid I really wanted to teach Spanish and take students on international trips to share those experiences with them.” 

Thornton, who is the sponsor of the culture club mentioned, allows students throughout the high school to experience a whole new culture that they would otherwise never get to experience. 

Culture Club has become a major part of Fair Grove, Isaac Walters (12) mentioned. Walters is a member of culture club and talks about how they stay involved in the community, saying “I am involved in Culture Club where we take field trips to local restaurants and get the opportunity to use our Spanish in the real world.”

Spanish classes have benefited both Walters and Logan. While Fair Grove no longer has a Spanish club, the school does offer a culture club that goes on international trips every two years, according to Thorton.