Recent SPARK Trainers
Maryn Ellis
Hi! My name is Maryn Ellis and my passion for German started when I was a freshman in high school. I had the most wonderful experience and a wonderful teacher! I got involved with the German program at my high school because my older brother was also taking classes. I am majoring in Languages, Cultures, and International Studies with a specialization in German! I hope in the future to become a college professor.
Yara Hindi
Guten Tag! My name is Yara Hindi and I am from Carbondale, Illinois. German has always been an interesting language to me. It has deep roots in many people's cultural history. High school ignited my interest to go through and learn this rich language. I took German for four years in high school and one year in college. I am excited to strengthen my knowledge and fluency in this language. I am majoring in Language, culture, and international studies with a focus in German along with my second major in political science. I believe German will help build a solid path for me to achieve my aspiration of becoming an international lawyer who is well immersed in more than two languages.
Yolina Lindquist
Hi! My name is Yolina Lindquist! I am a dual citizen of the United States and Switzerland. This is how I gained my passion for the German language. It has been a part of my life since birth! My mother`s side of the family speaks it and I long to communicate with them so I started genuinely studying german when I was a freshman in high school. I had the most wonderful experience and a wonderful teacher! I got involved with the German program at my high school through our german club, and cultural awareness clubs and through all the activities we do with it! I plan to major in Foreign Language and International trade with a focus in German! I hope in the future to work with international companies as a mutual advisor between the home country and the U.S.. My Dream would be to eventually work my way up to Ambassador between Switzerland and the United States.
Chelsea McGee
Hi! My name is Chelsea McGee and my passion for German started growing in high school. I had a wonderful teacher who made me fall in love with the language, culture, and traditions. During my time at SIU, I plan on fueling this by studying abroad. I am majoring in German Education and want to teach High School German in the future.
Jim Rotramel
I'm Jim Rotramel from West Frankfort, IL. My connection with Germany started with my first trip there on tour in a rock'n'roll band. As of 2022, I've made 25 tours to Germany, spending most of my downtime in Berlin, Hildesheim, and Braunschweig. I fell in love with the country's language and culture and wanted to be able to communicate better with my friends from there. My high school never offered German, so I was completely new to the language. I learned all I could by myself through YouTube, Duolingo, etc. Soon after, I was blessed to receive mentoring from Frau Sharon Lorinskas, who helped me build a solid foundation of the language. I enrolled in the German program at SIU in 2021, and I am excited to help others learn more about Germany's wonderful language and fascinating culture.