Ach du lieber! UNA students sweep Goethe Institut essay contest

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November 14, 2025

FLORENCE – A trio of University of North Alabama students in the senior-level German Film course swept the top spots in the annual Goethe Institut’s essay contest, recently.

Students were asked to develop the essay theme – “Solidarity in Today’s World” – into their submissions and by examining how collective action can help address global challenges.

Contest winners are:

First Place: Isa Hayes, a sophomore from Madison
Second Place: Landon Hill, a senior from Pulaski, Tenn.
Third Place: Griffin Lee, a junior from Florence

“The students will be traveling to New York City for the awards ceremony for the 2025 Solidarity and Civic Engagement in Transatlantic Perspective Essay Competition, which will take place Nov. 17,” said Dr. Rebecca Linam, UNA’s German lecturer. “While in New York, they will visit the United Nations, the German Consulate, and the Goethe Institut, as well as its latest art exhibit.”

This is the second year UNA students have placed in the essay competition, according to Linam. Madelyn Merriam received second place in the 2024 competition. The travel expenses to New York are provided by the Goethe Institut.

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