Foreign Language
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Hillcrest High School
Parents: George and Helen Liodakis
Sandy
"My first trip outside of the United States took place when I was 7 years old. Even though I was young, my trip to Eastern Europe changed the way I viewed other cultures. My seven years of existence did not even hint at the vast cultural differences that existed in the world. The plane landed in Athens, Greece. I was not fluent in Greek and thus did not understand what was being said. My desire to understand how this different culture operated influenced my choosing Greek as my first foreign language.
"As I learn about the similarities between languages, I have begun developing my own interpretations behind the basis of language. I believe that language involves more than simply being fluent. In the last three years, I have begun creating a computer program that is able to analyze the patterns within languages that has the capability to effectively translate between languages. Today, translations are limited in scope and size; concepts are rarely translated. I have been working with a program that has the potential to become an effective translator. My studies of modern Greek and English have been the basis of the programming, yet not limited to those languages.
"My experiences in different countries have expanded my view on the world. When I look at an international event on the news, I view it in multiple perspectives. The importance of the Foreign Language category is evident to me because international understanding is critical to global collaboration. My studies of foreign language have greatly influenced this understanding. It is because of my love for this diversity that I hope to continue my linguistic studies. The more I learn about different cultures, the more I respect the great weave of diversity that describes internationalism"
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks first out of 501; overall GPA 4.0; 33 composite ACT.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: Honor Roll; Academic Letter; International Baccalaureate; National Honor Society; National Society of High School Scholars; Key Club; President's Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence; Midvale City Youth Ambassador; Model United Nations; vice president of FBLA; president of debate team; DECA; Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF; Project Linus; Holladay Youth Council; food drive; Keys to Success; Midvale Youth Peer Court; Citizenship Award; school orchestra; Greek folk dance instructor.