Plainfield North High School freshman Lena Koehler earned the Goldurkunde (Gold) Medal and special recognition on the National German Exam Honor Roll for outstanding performance on the 2024 National German Exam for High School Students.

Koehler received this award after scoring in the top 10 percent of all students on the Level 3 national exam sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German or AATG.

PNHS seniors Brendan Orsi, Sara Kramer and Gavin Seno also received honorable recognition for their scores on this exam.

More than 13,000 students participated in the Levels 2-4 program this year and only 135 students in the state of Illinois earn a Goldurkunde rating total.

The National German Exam, now in its 64th year, rewards students through an extensive prize program and provides a means of comparing students in all regions of the United States

Founded in 1926, the AATG represents German teachers at all levels of instruction. The AATG is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of the teaching of language, literature, and culture of the German‐speaking countries.

Students at Plainfield High School-Central Campus and Plainfield South High School did not take the test this year. Plainfield East High School doesn't offer German.