While it is not unusual for a high school senior to fluently speak two languages, Berta Franzluebbers speaks four.

There is English, of course, but Berta also speaks German, French, and Spanish. She perfected her German at home, speaking with her mother. She took Spanish and French at Oconee County High School, advancing up to the Advanced Placement level.

To fit two foreign languages, not to mention Latin, into her packed academic load, Berta had to extend her learning beyond the traditional school year.

“I had to do a lot of independent study in the summer,” Berta explained.

Not only is Berta a very self-motivated student, she also earned the highest score in her senior class on the SAT, making her the OCHS STAR Student. She chose as her STAR Teacher Tom Drewry, who taught Berta AP World History.

Berta, the daughter of Alan and Kathrin Framzluebbers, said Drewry’s class had a profound effect on her.

“I learned so much in his class; I felt like it changed me,” Berta said.

Just what about Drewry’s class was so unique?

“Mr. Drewry’s class was harder than any other class I had taken,” she said. “And, he taught us to question what we are learning.”

Drewry had equally praise-worthy words for his student.

“It is an honor to teach a student like Berta,” he said. “She has a unique perspective, and always has something to learn. With Berta, there is always something to learn.”

Drewry said Berta’s mastery of many languages also makes her an asset to any class.

“Berta knows several languages, which helps her to truly be a global student and a global citizen.”

While learning language is one of Berta’s passions, the STAR Student said she does not plan to major in a language. Instead, she wants to gear her study towards solar energy.

“I eventually want to work with solar energy, so my study will focus on studies of physics and engineering,” she said.

Berta said her interest in solar energy was piqued by solar panels her family installed at their home.

“I saw that solar energy was a great way to protect the environment and provide efficient energy,” she said.

She does plan to keep taking foreign language classes in college, and her knowledge of multiple languages, she said, will be an asset when she begins working.

“I would like to be able to go to other countries to spread the use of solar energy,” Berta said. “I would like to go to other countries to make solar energy more accepted.”

She will start on the path to her career in the solar energy industry when she enters the University of Georgia.

“It is the only place I applied,” Berta said. “I like a big school that has a lot of opportunities, and UGA is close to home.”

Even though she now plans to live at home during her freshman year, Berta said she knows the coming year will hold many changes.

“When you are in college, you have to make decisions on your own,” she said.

Berta, who is a member of the Beta club and the Math League at OCHS, said she has few free minutes to savor during the school year. For a young woman who loves the spoken word, it is no surprise that in her spare time, she loves the written word.

“I like reading, and I read all genres, really everything,” she said.

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