News and Updates

Changes and updates for 2022

Houstonfest Scholarships

Scholarships at State

State Promo Video Contest

Contest Promo Video #1 (students from one school tell why they love contest)

Contest Promo Video #2 (one student tells why she loves contest)

Teacher-to-Teacher Tips

Tips for Pair Discussion

Photo Gallery

Arrival at Heights High School

Lunch options

Daily log of changes to state-qualifier list

Important Dates

Sat., Jan. 15, 2022, 11:59 p.m.:  Houstonfest registration spreadsheet due for regular price of $10/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 1/24).

Mon., Jan. 24, 2022, 11:59 p.m.:  Houstonfest registration spreadsheet due for late price of $12/student. Deadline to postmark Houstonfest payment.

Wed., Jan. 26, 2022, 8:00 p.m.:  Houstonfest changes (adds, drops, substitutions) in the 7 online events due.

Sat., Jan. 29, 2022, 9:00 a.m.:  Entries in the 7 Houstonfest online events due.

Wed., Feb. 2, 2022, 8:00 p.m.:  Houstonfest changes (adds, drops, substitutions) due. After this point, no more changes will be allowed.

Sat., Feb. 5, 2022:  Houstonfest !

Fri., Feb. 11, 2022, 11:59 p.m.:  State online registration due for "early bird" price of $10/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/18). Also, Mary El-Beheri Memorial Scholarship applications due.

Fri., Feb. 18, 2022, 11:59 p.m.:  State online registration due for regular price of $12/student. Deadline to postmark State payment.

Sat., Feb. 19, 2022, 9:00 a.m.:  Entries in the 7 State online events due.

Mon., Feb. 21, 2022, 8:00 p.m.:  Entries in promotional video contest due to State director Jennifer Christianson.

Sat., Feb. 26, 2022:  40th Annual Texas State German Contest !

Sat., Mar. 5, 2022, 11:59 p.m.:  Houstonfest Scholarship applications due.

Fri., Mar. 11, 2022:  Gail Cope Scholarship applications due.

Sat., April 30, 2022:  Gail Cope Teacher Grant applications due.

Scholarships at State

Gail Cope Scholarships

Retired German teacher Gail Cope (formerly of W.T. White High School in Dallas) generously funds scholarships for the top winners at the Texas State German Contest.  Scholarship winners are determined by the number of sweepstakes points the students earn for their schools by winning first- through fifth-place awards.  At least five scholarships are awarded with the top scholarship worth at least $500.

Each teacher is allowed to nominate one student per year for this scholarship.  The nomination process is quite simple, and teachers are encouraged to participate in this wonderful program.

For more information, visit the Gail Cope Scholarships page of the State website.

Mary El-Beheri Memorial Scholarship

A scholarship of at least $500 is given annually in memory of founding State director Mary El-Beheri (1938-2012).

• The scholarship goes only to a current senior who has attended State at least three years (including the current year) and intends to continue his/her study of German after high school.

• Each school is allowed to submit up to three nominees.

• Applications are submitted the week after the regional contests, i.e., the application process occurs BEFORE State and not afterwards.

• Judging is based on the sweepstakes points that the nominee has earned in his/her best three years of attending State.  Nominees will indicate what they won at all previous State contests on the application, and their results at the current year's State contest will be added to the mix in the tab room before the winner is determined.

• The finalists are recognized on stage and the winner announced at the State awards ceremony.

• Payment is made directly to the institution where the winner enrolls to study.

See the State website for the rules and application form.

Mary El-Beheri German Heritage Essay Award

for Winning Research Papers at State

The winners of first through fifth place in the research paper contest at the Texas State German Contest receive scholarships funded by the German-Texan Heritage Society (GTHS) and the Texas State German Contest.  Amounts are $500 for first, $250 for second, $125 for third, $100 for fourth, and $75 for fifth.  Click here for more information.

Visit the GTHS website for more information about the benefits of membership or to join.  Teachers are encouraged to join, but teacher membership is not a requirement for students to win a scholarship.

Texas German Society

While this contest is not directly related to Houstonfest, we are pleased to help the Texas German Society publicize their annual essay contest, which awards scholarships of $1000, $750, and $500. Last year's entry deadline was March 15, 2021. Here are the application guidelines and the application form from 2021:

Application Guidelines

Application Form

When guidelines are issued for 2022, they will be posted here.  Always make sure to follow the directions carefully.