Student takes first at Japanese speech contest
On March 5, University of North Georgia (¶¶Òõ̽̽App) student Susana Olivo Sandoval was named the first-place winner in category 3 at the annual held virtually. Her division was for students with N3-level proficiency of Japanese Language Proficiency Test, corresponding to 3000-level Japanese courses at ¶¶Òõ̽̽App.
The competition is made up of four categories, one for high school students and three for college students in varying levels of Japanese. All students were required to present an original Japanese speech with the length determined by each category. Sandoval's speech entitled "Opportunities to Get Closer to Your Dreams" was four minutes long. Jonathan Lomas took third place in category 3, with Duncan Ray earning a special award.
In category 2, Adrian Abreu took third and Uriel Leon brought home a special award.
"I am proud of our students' achievements. Not only does it help our programs to make our presence felt in the Georgia community of Japanese learning and teaching. It also encourages ¶¶Òõ̽̽App students learning Japanese to engage in more opportunities both inside and outside campus," Dr. Tomoe Nishio, associate professor of Japanese, said.
Reaves named national softball Player of Year
¶¶Òõ̽̽App senior center fielder Sydnee Reaves has been named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Player of the Year.
Education students publish book reviews
Five students in ¶¶Òõ̽̽App's College of Education were featured in the Georgia Association of Literacy Advocates FOCUS Newsletter for spring 2026.
Courtney researches Oval Office décor
Alumna Sara Courtney's last semester at ¶¶Òõ̽̽App included the opportunity to visit the nation's capital and present at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.
Nighthawks advance to NCAA championship
The ¶¶Òõ̽̽App softball team has punched its ticket to the NCAA Division II championship for the fifth time in six seasons. It opens the event at 6:30 p.m. May 28 against McKendree.