News and Updates

NEW: Changes and updates for 2027

NEW: Pass auf! preparation

Houstonfest Scholarships - 2026 Winners Announced!

Scholarships at State

Houstonfest history

Arrival at Heights High School

Lunch options
 

Teacher-to-teacher tips

Tips for Pair Discussion

Daily log of changes to State-qualifier list

State promo video contest

Contest promo video #1 (students from one school tell why they love contest)

Contest promo video #2 (one student tells why she loves contest)

Contest promo video #3 (hilarious 2024 State-winning submission from our own Klein Oak High School!)

Contest promo video #4 (2025 State-winning submission from Cedar Ridge High School)

Contest promo video #5 (fun 2026 State-winning submission from our own Jordan High School!)

Photo gallery

Important Dates

Mon., Jan. 11, 2027, 4:00 p.m.: Provided we receive funding from the Houston Saengerbund, the application for transportation grants opens; link will be sent to teachers.

Fri., Jan. 15, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Transportation-grant application closes.

Wed., Jan. 20, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Houstonfest registration spreadsheet due for regular price of $15/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/1).

Wed., Jan. 27, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Houstonfest registration spreadsheet due for late price of $20/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/1).

Sat., Jan. 30, 2027, 9:00 a.m.: Submission of entries in the 7 virtual Houstonfest events due (get the link to the Google Form from your teacher).

Mon., Feb. 1, 2027: deadline to postmark payment for registration fees (or pay electronically).

Tue., Feb. 2, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Remote judging of the 7 virtual Houstonfest events ends.

Wed., Feb. 3, 2027, 10:00 p.m.: Houstonfest changes (adds, drops, substitutions) due. After this point, no more changes will be allowed.

Sat., Feb. 6, 2027:  Houstonfest, Heights High School, Houston.

Fri., Feb. 12, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: State online registration due for regular price of $15/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/xx).

Wed., Feb. 17, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: State online registration due for late price of $20/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/xx).

Sat., Feb. 20, 2027, 9:00 a.m.: Submission of entries in the 7 virtual State events due (get the link to a Google Form from your teacher). Also, Mary El-Beheri Memorial Scholarship and Sandra Dieckman GTHS Memorial Scholarship applications due (to submit an application, get the link to a Google Form from your teacher).

Mon., Feb. 22, 2027, 8:00 p.m.: Entries in State promotional video contest due (link to submission form typically emailed to teachers 1-2 weeks in advance).

Tue., Feb. 23, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Remote judging of the 7 virtual State events ends.

Sat., Feb. 27, 2027: Texas State German Contest, Texas State University, San Marcos.

Sat., Mar. 6, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Houstonfest Scholarship applications due.

Sun., Mar. 14, 2027: Gail Cope State Scholarship applications due (link to application form is typically sent to teachers a few days after State contest).

between Fri., Jan. 1 and Fri., Apr. 30, 2027: submit Gail Cope Teacher Grant applications.

Houstonfest Registration

February 6, 2027

• We use online Google Sheets to register for Houstonfest. As soon as you know for sure that you will be entering Houstonfest (or even suspect that you might), email Rustin Buck to request a link to a Google Sheet registration spreadsheet that will be unique for your school. The spreadsheet for 2027 is ready to go, so you can request your link now, even if you don't intend to fill out the form right away, so that you'll have it when you do get ready to fill it out. Please do not wait until the last minute to request it.

• This document is NOT the "registration form" but could be a useful worksheet for you as your students sign up for events. It lists all the events available and shows how many slots are available in each:     Sign-Up Worksheet in Word      Sign-Up Worksheet as PDF

• As you complete the Google Sheet, PLEASE USE Lastname, Firstname FORMAT FOR ENTERING STUDENT NAMES.

• When you deem your Google registration form substantially complete, email Rustin Buck to let him know. However, you may continue making updates (drops, adds, changes) in the Google Sheet on a rolling basis up to Wednesday, February 3, 2027, at 10:00 p.m. After that point, your editing access will be changed to "view only" and your registration will be finalized.

• The only thing you need to send by regular mail is your payment check. You may wish to enclose a print-out of the first page of the registration form, but there is no need to enclose all the pages.

• Send the regular fee of $15 per student if your registration form is completed by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2027. (But your payment check doesn't have to be in the mail by then -- see two bullets down.)

• Send the late fee of $20 per student if your registration form is completed during the period from Thursday, January 21, to Wednesday, January 27, 2027. Late registration will not be accepted after 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2027.

• Regardless of whether you complete your online registration by the regular or the late deadline, your payment check should be postmarked by Monday, February 1, 2027.

• If you need an invoice, email director Rustin Buck to request one.

• Make your check payable to "Houstonfest" or "Texas State German Contests, Inc. dba Houstonfest," depending on how your school district has us set up in its vendor system. For a personal check, "Houstonfest" is sufficient. Email director Rustin Buck if you are interested in paying via PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle.

• Mail payment to:

Houstonfest

2507 Slippery Rock Dr.

Sugar Land, TX  77498-1909

• Incentives for new schools to participate:  We will waive the registration fee for up to 5 students from any school that has not attended Houstonfest in the last 5 years, and these schools will pay the regular price of $15 for any students beyond the first 5, even if they enter during the "late" registration period. Teachers who are brand new to Houstonfest may also request to be excused from judging for the first year so that they can move freely around the contest and see how things work. Contact director Rustin Buck to take advantage of these offers; the registration spreadsheet is not set up to reflect them.

• No registration fees will be refunded for any reason.