Steinmühle celebrated International Book Day on April 23 with a week of events: From Monday through Friday, the student library located in the Forum presented an exhibition featuring books that have won various literary awards in recent years. The exhibition focused on both nonfiction and fiction. “This brings the works more into the spotlight and encourages students to borrow them,” notes Martina Schäfer.

For many years, this certified librarian has been working with heart and soul at a place where students can borrow nonfiction books for free “…on any topic they need for school.” But that’s not all. Fiction covering 30 different themes is also available. The student library sees a steady stream of visitors, as you can easily see during a visit. Reading hardcover books on paper is obviously still “cool”—even at the end of the second decade of the 21st century!

 

Encouraged to Swap Books

In addition to tables and seating for reading and studying, the school library also offers six computer stations. “Of course, we need Google and the like,” says Martina Schäfer, who, by her own account, has read almost all the books in the library herself. She expertly teaches students how to use the index, advises them on works relevant to exams and the Abitur, and even gives the occasional teacher important tips. The faculty lends a hand from time to time when it comes to sorting and organizing the collection. This ensures that visitors can easily find their way around at all times.

For Book Day—which turned into “Book Week” at Steinmühle—students and faculty were also able to get involved. Under the theme “Book Swap,” everyone was invited to bring books they no longer read from home and exchange them with one another. A contest and a call for students to describe what reading means to them rounded out the program. Graphic novels, which were also part of the book exhibition, offered a special kind of reading material—an alternative way of telling stories.

Steinmühle operates a total of three libraries. In addition to the student library, there is the teachers’ library in the school’s main building and the textbook library in the boarding school office building.

Nela Haeberle from Class 6c has advanced to the next round of the reading competition once again. After winning the Marburg city round in February, she has now also won the district round of the reading competition, which was held at the Giessen City Library. On May 24, Nela will compete in the state finals at the Sparda-Bank in Frankfurt. There, she will face Sophie-Charlotte Richter from the Herderschule in Giessen for the second time. Nela shares the top spot she earned in Giessen with Sophie-Charlotte; first place was awarded twice.
Nine participants appeared before the five-member jury in Giessen, in alphabetical order. The jury consisted of Prof. Dr. Sascha Feuchert (Institute of German Studies at Justus Liebig University in Giessen), Manuela Gries (deputy library director of the Giessen City Library), Anna-Lena Heid (Program Director of the Literary Center in Giessen), Dr. Ira Kasperowski (Deputy Director of the Giessen University Library), and Ralph Kohlheyer (Managing Director of Rickersche Universitätsbuchhandlung).
The judges evaluated reading technique and interpretation, as well as the contestant’s choice of book. Nela Haeberle had chosen the book *Hexendämmerung* by Magnolia Steel. Afterward, she had to read a text by another author.
The Steinmühle student handled her performance with poise and confidence, though she doesn’t hide the fact that “…you’re always pretty nervous beforehand.” After all, she says, it’s all about conveying the right atmosphere, speaking clearly, and maintaining the right reading pace.
Steinmühle, led by German teacher Lisa Braun, is keeping its fingers crossed for Nela as she moves on to the next stage of the competition in Frankfurt. The reading competition is organized by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association.

At this year’s central spring long-distance regatta organized by the German Rowing Association (DRV) in Leipzig, up-and-coming rower Dustin Brömer won the bronze medal for RuS Steinmühle in the follow-up event. After two training sessions on site the day before—covering 10 and 6 kilometers—the ambitious Steinmühle athlete was feeling confident heading into the race. On the course, which he knew well from training camp, he had to contend with a headwind during the competition.
Nevertheless, the race got off to a good start. After about 3,250 meters, Dustin was even able to catch up to a competitor. He overcame a subsequent dip in energy, regained his composure, and crossed the finish line with confidence. This overall improvement in performance is all the more remarkable given that Dustin Brömer had been forced to take a long break due to his protracted injuries.
At the training camp, both Dustin and Steinmühlen rower Lasse Jacob had already posted strong training results. “A great training camp for both of them,” commented coach Martin “Stromi” Strohmenger, who is typically rather reserved with his assessments and predictions. He views the result achieved particularly in light of the fact that Dustin competed in the open class. “A bold, courageous race,” the coach summed up. He said the team can head into the season with a positive outlook.
Dustin Brömer now has further plans: to win a medal at the German Championships. He has set a rigorous training schedule for himself: “Until then, I’ll be training six times a week.”