Press Release: North Country Students Earn Seal of Bliliteracy

Twenty-four local high school seniors have demonstrated their proficiency in communicating through a second language and have earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy.

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

The intent of the NYSSB is to: encourage the study of languages, identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers, provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission, prepare students for twenty-first century skills, recognize the value of foreign and native language instruction in schools, and affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.

Final presentations by participating students took place virtually May 25 through June 2. Each student’s final presentation took place before a panel of judges made up of foreign language instructors, community members, and fluent speakers in the business world.

The presentation focused on what the student had learned culturally during the course of the project, all the while communicating in a second language. Students earning the Seal of Biliteracy received a virtual certificate and a medallion to wear during their high school graduation.

The Seal of Biliteracy is placed on each student’s high school diploma upon graduation. 

Here is a list of recipients from our local school districts:

Carthage Central School:

Jayden Brown, Spanish, Carlos Vives

Paige Soules, Spanish, Representations in Media

Rosalyn Towler, French, Les Bandes dessinees (Comic Books)

Devin Parlati, French, L’influence de la Cuisine Francaise autour du monde (The Influence of French Cuisine around the World)

Copenhagen Central School:

Chase Aubin, Spanish. The Spanish Civil War

Lowville Academy and Central School:

Olivia Baker, Spanish, La Historia Secreta de América Latina: Operacion Condor (The Secret History of Latin America: Operation Condor)

The following foreign language instructors and community members provided time within their schedules to volunteer as judges for the final presentations: Ann Elyse Foltz, Francoise Piron, Teresa Grigg, Stacey Barlow, Devan Grant, Sharon Carr, Stephanie Newvine, Sarah Neiman, Deanna Cobb, Kathy Kratzat, Betsy Roberts, Susan Fairchild, Kim Elwood, Sarah Lee, Joy Cumming, Elisabeth Lorentzen, and Tina Martin. 

Image courtesy via Jefferson-Lewis BOCES.