Bishop Noll Institute students Lilly Lamberg, left, of Highland, and Julia Fugger, of Lansing, hold Mille-Feuille, the French poetry magazine published by DePaul University. Both students had their original poems featured in this year’s magazine.
Bishop Noll students honored to have French poetry published in literary magazine
Having their original French poems published in a literary magazine both surprised and delighted two Bishop Noll Institute students.
Sophomore Julia Fugger and freshman Lilly Lamberg had their work appear in Mille-Feuille, DePaul University’s French literary magazine.
They found out about the achievement when copies of the magazine arrived with their poems inside.
“I was so surprised,” said Lamberg, who is from Highland and attended Our Lady of Grace School in Highland. “I almost cried … We don’t win anything ever. We don’t get much chance to put our real selves out there and get recognized like this.”
Lamberg’s poem is titled “Puéril,” which translates to “Childish,” she said. This is her first year studying French and she plans to continue learning the language.
“I like French a lot. I check out French dictionaries and try to translate.”
Fugger, who is from Lansing and attended St. Thomas More School in Munster, said, “This was truly just us. It’s the first time my work was put out there.”
Her poem was titled “Je ne veux pas grandir,” which translates to “I don’t want to grow up,” she said.
“It’s about how it’s easier to be a child,” she said. She looks forward to pursuing writing poetry and said she has poems she has written all around her room. This was her first year studying French.
Nearly 300 students submitted poems to be considered for publication in the magazine, including DePaul University students and students at Lincoln Park and Walter Payton high schools in Chicago.
“It is a special honor to be published in a university publication and it looks great on college applications,” said Diane Wilson, Bishop Noll Institute French teacher. “Hopefully, it motivates these students to continue their French beyond high school.”
Wilson said Lambert and Fugger are both excellent students.
“I hope this is the first of many French honors for them, including National French Honor Society and studying in France through our summer and semester study abroad programs.”
Students from Bishop Noll visit university French classes at DePaul, Notre Dame University and Valparaiso University.