Some exams, you take in a place -- usually school. Other exams take you places -- sometimes magical ones. As they do every year, Ridge High School Italian language students sat for the National Italian Exam (NIE), sponsored by The American Association of Teachers of Italian (AATI). More than 5,500 students from across the country and Puerto Rico participated.

The exam highlights student achievement and promotes enjoyment of Italian language and culture. There are prizes -- medals, certificates, monetary rewards -- but the stuff of dreams are the scholarships for two-week study-abroad programs in Italy. The top participant in each level, ranging from 1-5, gets the coveted trip.