Downers Grove North High senior Joseph Delorto has been awarded the 2018 Alliance Française de Chicago McCormick Award for Excellence scholarship. He will be sent on an all-expense paid trip to Paris to study French language and culture at the Sorbonne University. Delorto is one of only two students in the Chicagoland area to receive the award.
"I am beyond excited for this opportunity,” says Delorto. “I've always dreamed about living in France and being immersed in French language and culture, and now I have an amazing chance to do so. I'm so thrilled to be able to explore the world in this way."
Every year, the Chicago chapter of the Alliance Française awards its scholarship to study in Paris. The award committee selects candidates based on their performance on the National French Contest, an essay they write in French and extensive in-person interviews conducted in French.
“I was fortunate to have Joe in my classroom for three years and was always worried I couldn't challenge him enough,” comments his teacher, Kelly Houlihan. “I'm elated that he has this opportunity that could very well change his life.”
In addition to Houlihan, North High Teacher Joel Kapitaniuk and Herrick Teacher Kathy Mahay were instrumental in Delorto’s learning.