I thought it was so neat that a bunch of funny squiggles meant something to other people,” junior Adele Marchiando said.

Marchiando first became interested in Japanese when she was in 5th grade by listening to Japanese music. After picking up words here and there, Marchiando decided to become further involved.

“I think that people are told that it’s a hard language to learn, or see that it doesn’t use the alphabet that we are familiar with and this scares them away,” Marchiando said, “but it truly isn’t that bad!”

Marchiando has been learning Japanese since Freshman year.  She began by taking classes through BYU but now prefers to learn through resources such as online flashcards, YouTube videos, and books from the public library.

Through her knowledge of the Japanese language, Marchiando has been able to make additional connections with community members who have ties to Japan. Marchiando and her family also hosted a Japanese exchange student on college break early last year.

“I was really surprised by how much Chinese and Japanese is around me in everyday life,” Marchiando said.

Marchiando plans to fly to Colorado in December to take the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), an achievement test that several colleges accept it in place of high school credits. Marchiando also  plans to continue Japanese past high school and into college, either as a hobby or by taking classes, as well as traveling to Japan on exchange in order to expand her language experience.

Senior Brianna Baldree has been studying the French language for the entirety of her high school career. She currently takes French classes through the high school.

Baldree first became interested in learning French because of her sister’s experience in the language.

“I was entranced with the fact that she could speak another language,” Baldree said.

Baldree’s vast experience in the French language has thus far aided her in furthering connections with friends, as well as broadening her knowledge of an overseas culture.

Baldree’s aspirations after high school include becoming a high school teacher, and she plans to take French classes in college. Baldree believes that having knowledge of another language would allow her to expand her opportunities, especially as she plans to continue learning French in college.

“Not only do colleges like to see it on your transcript, but it can benefit you outside of education with traveling and communication,” Baldree said.