Diamond Bar High School kicks off the school year by introducing a new Italian foreign language class. Led by the French teacher, Tony Tietz, the class offers a blend of education in Italian literature and culture.

The course garnered much enthusiasm from students and teachers alike, already totaling an enrollment of 40 students and three aides, marking a huge step forward in DBHS’ language program. Tietz plans to collaborate with other teachers, such as Marcy Hail, the culinary science teacher, to bring Italian cooking into the classroom as well.

“First-year language students are becoming familiar with the sounds of the Italian language as well as getting accustomed to its culture, which includes its history, traditions, foods, music, and dances,” Tietz said.

According to Tietz, students who continue to AP Italian and pass the exam may be eligible for scholarships and obtain the State Seal of Biliteracy, consistent with other foreign language programs. This honor enhances college applications and provides a competitive edge in the job market as it emphasizes a student’s commitment to mastering a second language.

A few opportunities regarding scholarships, such as the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), provide scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $12,000 to Italian-American students at various academic levels, covering tuition and room and board. Patrons of Italian Culture, a nonprofit in California, sponsors programs that especially highlight Italian heritage, and offers grants and scholarships, such as the Albert J. Casola Prize, for university-level Italian studies. Fondazione Italia, another organization seeking to promote the introduction of the Italian language and culture in Southern California, offers scholarships and serves as a resource for additional scholarship opportunities.

“I was further inspired by the realization that teaching would make me better at Italian, and open countless doors for others,” Tiez said. “The idea became a reality because of the generosity of La Fondazione Italia, who gifted me with two years worth of textbooks and other great resources, the hard work of my Dean, Nicolle Flores, and the vision and capable leadership of our Principal, David Hong.”

Tietz’s inspiration for introducing this language at DBHS came from an Italian friend of his, who has a son interested in learning his native language in high school. Tietz took this as inspiration and pursued the necessary credentials to teach Italian, amassing knowledge equivalent to an undergraduate degree in the language.

“I will offer honors, IB, and AP Italian classes, and every Freshman currently enrolled in Italian will have opportunities to join these classes over the next four years,” Tietz said.

The current Freshman Italian 1 class is expected to progress through to Italian 4 and AP Italian by the time the Class of 2028 reaches their senior year. It is anticipated that an additional Italian 1 class will be offered in two years.  The reason for this deliberately controlled expansion of the Italian program is to maintain the strength of the DBHS’ already-established French program. Tietz aspires to keep the Italian course more exclusive, allowing it to evolve in “mystical ways” without overwhelming the other languages DBHS has to offer.

“An Italian club is in the works, and I plan to do some non-district-sponsored traveling to Italy in the near future,” Tiez said. “They will likely resemble my France trips, where the students will immerse themselves in the language and culture via homestays and make everyday decisions on their own.”

This year, Tietz holds great excitement about the challenge of teaching the district’s first Italian language class, marking a significant step for the Walnut Valley Unified School District. Tietz is committed to ensuring that his students not only learn the Italian language and culture but fall in love with the process as well.

“My biggest goal for my students is that they [learn to] love the language more every step of the way, [and] that they love the process,” Tietz said. “If that is the case, they will not only discover many things related to Italy, but they will also have all of the tools to learn any other language.”