Eighteen Huntington High School seniors have qualified for the New York State Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish after displaying exceptional proficiency during detailed presentations before a committee of faculty members.
“I am proud to announce that this was a very successful year for students applying for and receiving the Spanish Seal of Biliteracy,” said teacher Lorena Hickey, who serves as the faculty advisor for students seeking the New York State designation on their diplomas. “This is the first time that the students’ used their Spanish digital portfolios to impress and showcase their work and progress.”
The group includes Brenda Acevedo, Ryan Aguirre, Yolani Cabrera, Erla Campos Nativi, Niurca Chabla-Leon, Kemberlin Hernandez Veliz, Brianna Isaza, Bliden Martinez-Argueta, Angie Mata, Jeffrey Ochoa-Alvarez, Jackeline Ramirez-Tzoy, Katia Sanchez-Fuentes, Tess Stanley and Grace Wildermuth.
Mrs. Hickey along with department colleagues Natalia Kopshti and Clara Galeas comprised the faculty committee that evaluated each of the students seeking the biliteracy seal.
The applicants included both native speakers and dual language students. “The students were able to discuss artifacts within their portfolios that showed their progress throughout their middle and high school career as Spanish language students,” Mrs. Hickey said. “Most of the students showcased their progress within their writing and speaking skills categories. They talked about projects that were relevant to them.”
The teenagers discussed how much they had learned from their Spanish teachers and also through completion of various projects over the years. “They were all very proud of what they had accomplished,” Mrs. Hickey said.
The students stated how helpful and useful they feel that Spanish is and will continue to be as they move on to college and into careers of their choice. “Many of them expressed the desire of wanting to go into fields where Spanish would be extremely relevant and helpful,” Mrs. Hickey said.
Guidance counselor Josephine Saladin kept track of the students’ records to make sure they met all of the requirements for the Seal of Biliteracy. Teacher Teresa Connolly worked with a group of English as a new language students to encourage them to apply for the state seal.
“As the Spanish Seal of Biliteracy advisor, I am hopeful that what these students have learned here in Huntington, will be of great benefit to them in the near future,” Mrs. Hickey said. “Every single one of these students demonstrated mastery of their communication and comprehension skills of the Spanish language and culture. I am very proud to have worked with them this year. Each of them had beautiful stories to share with the committee of what had motivated them to continue with their Spanish studies. I cannot wait to see for what the future holds for these outstanding Huntington High school students.”