Twelve high school students have earned New York State Seal of Biliteracy honors for the 2021-22 school year.

Seniors will receive the seal on their forthcoming diplomas and a medal signifying their accomplishments. Juniors receive the same next year when they graduate and will be able to use this earned distinction on their forthcoming college applications.

• German and Japanese
  Charles Mason
• Spanish
  Danielle Bonilla
  Edward Gomez Tobon
  Anna Campbell Lopez
  Connor Lynch
  Austin Moran
  Stephani Parks Ortiz
  Nataly Pena
  Matthew Sheridan
  Abigail Solozano
• Polish
  Danielle Kusztykiewicz
• Tagalog
  Sophia Isabel Ogania

“In an ever-changing global, multilingual society, the ability to communicate in more than one language can make a huge difference in a student’s career success,” said Assistant Principal Dr. Michael Burns, who oversaw the Seal awarding process. “An added important benefit is that the Seal offers students a pathway into the mind and heart of another people and culture. The students who earned this distinction worked very hard for this achievement. We’re very proud of their tenacity to undergo this rigorous process to earn this honor.”

The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English.

The program’s intentions are to encourage the study of languages, to identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers, to provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission and placement, to prepare students with 21st Century skills, to recognize the value of world, classical and home language instruction in schools and to affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.

Students were honored for this achievement at the June 2 Board of Education meeting and at the June 6 High School Academic Awards Night.