Huntington Seniors Capture Seal of Biliteracy Designation

Huntington High School’s Class of 2023 will include 41 graduates who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy, a special designation that will be affixed to their diplomas denoting proficiency in a second language. Two seniors have earned the state seal in a third language.

Huntington Spanish, French, Italian and Latin teachers worked with students interested demonstrating mastery and cultural proficiency in second and third languages. The process encompassed many weeks and months.

“We are so genuinely proud of the students who have made a deep commitment to their study of world languages and their recognition of the value attached to the associated knowledge and skill they’ve amassed through the years,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “Proficiency in multiple languages can open so many professional doors. It is my hope that our seal recipients continue their linguistic studies in post-secondary academia and use their abilities continuously throughout their personal and professional lives.”

School counselor Ivy Alvayero met with each of the students to ensure they met the state requirements for the seal. All of them will have the state seal affixed to their diplomas and will also be presented with a commemorative medallion.

“We are extremely proud of these students as they have demonstrated exemplary proficiency in a world language as well as a genuine interest in the culture, said Jeannette Alomia, district director of guidance and testing, K-12. “We are confident the skills and knowledge these students attained from this triumph will continue to flourish during their college years and beyond.”

Anna Bell Young and Ella Kamenstein qualified for seals in both Spanish and French making them fully trilingual.

The following seniors have qualified for the Seal of Biliteracy in the language listed:

Spanish: Brenda Jandres-Benitez, Brian Romero-Bonilla, Sophia Segal, Mikah Schueller, Rachel Morina, Emely Cruz, Laura Curtin, Keyla Maldonado, Ella Kamenstein, Stephanie Wickey, Neha Rathore, Anna Bell Young, Jeffrey Garcia Carbrera, Yoselin Fuentes-Velasquez, Peter Gaal, Maximiliano Gutierrez, Yoanny Suarez, Levis Villatoro Villatoro, Gabriela Rodriguez Moreira, Jerlyn Euceda

French: Sophie Bradford, Aislyn Franciscovich, Annika Galvin, Kieran Husselbeck, Ella Kamenstein, Cecilia Kye, Renata Meiram, Dawin Preval, Anna Bell Young, Danielle Mendikyan, Ryan Lawless, Allison Malone

Italian: Victoria Befumo, Isabella Lanfranco, Brad Nisipeanu, Jamie Mejia-Ortez

Latin: Lauren Gennarelli, Haileigh Smith, Laurel Bonn, Megan Donaghy, Emma Glascock, Sarah Krisch, Angie Hernandez-Ramos