Carberry, German students excel at AATG Three Rivers German Day Competition

Carly Conroy, Staff Writer • April 13, 2026

Altered Bethel Park German logo. (AI Generated)

Several students enrolled in BPHS German classes competed against a dozen other area schools at the annual AATG Three Rivers German Day Competition at Washington & Jefferson College on April 9, earning two first-place, one second-place, and three third-place awards, the most of any school in attendance.

The big winner of the day was junior Victoria Carberry, who earned a prize in every art category she entered. The Honors German IV student took first place in Drawings, second place in Proverb Posters and third place in Paintings.

AP German V students Christian Tabler and Colin Finnegan earned third place in the Culture Bowl competition. The two seniors, who won the competition in 2024 and 2025, fell just short in their bid to become the first and only students in German Day history to win the Culture Bowl three consecutive years.

In addition to his prize in the Culture Bowl, Tabler also took first place in the Fiction Writing category. Fellow senior Samuel Hoppe (AP German V) earned third place in Non-Fiction Writing.

Other students who were members of this year’s BPHS German team were freshmen Flynn Coleman (German I) and Jack Waterstram (Honors German II) and seniors Benjamin Campbell and Holly McGough (AP German V).

In addition, BPHS freshman Michael Koontz (Honors German II) has won the Goethe Institute’s Step Into German Award of Excellence and will spend two weeks in Austria this summer. The scholarship, which Koontz won because he and his classmates participated in a competition in their German class that was open to students across North America, encompasses a German language course, accommodations, meals, full-time supervision, day trips, recreation programs, medical and accident insurance, and travel expenses.

The two-week German-language summer program takes place in Obertauern, Austria, which is situated 1,600 meters above sea level, surrounded by the mountains of the Salzburger Land.

About the Contributor

Carly Conroy, Staff Writer

She’s lining up for the hit, she swings, and that’s a home run for #14 Carly Conroy! Carly is a junior and is entering her first year as a part of the Hawk Eye staff. When asked why she joined Hawk Eye, Carly said, “I took Scholastic Publications to get my foot in the door for future photography opportunities.” Carly plans to contribute to Hawk Eye in a variety of ways, with a primary focus on photography, as previously mentioned, and social media. In addition to Hawk Eye, Carly can also be found participating in numerous activities, such as serving as the football team equipment manager, yearbook editor, Chick-fil-A worker, softball player, and DECA member, where she will act as the Vice President of Marketing for the 2025-26 school year. Alongside DECA, Carly also mentioned that Marketing with Mrs. Smoller was her favorite class she’s taken at BPHS. Even her favorite memory in high school also involves DECA; Carly mentioned, “My favorite high school memory was getting stuck in Hollywood for DECA freshman year.” Carly’s passion will continue post-high school as well, as she plans to attend college for marketing and sports management after graduation. Other than her academics, Carly discussed other plans after high school, as she named Italy as her dream vacation spot. This destination matches her personality, as when asked three words to describe herself, Carly responded, “Loud, outgoing, and determined.” So whenever you see Carly in the halls, don’t hesitate to say “Ciao!” Written by: Patrick Romito, Staff Writer