Huntington Seniors Capture Seal of Biliteracy Designation

Huntington High School’s Class of 2024 will feature 30 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 take great pride in our students who go above and beyond the classroom doors to improve their academic and social journey in Huntington,” Superintendent Beth M. McCoy said. “Those who have achieved the Seal of Biliteracy have done just that. It is accomplishment for our students as it signifies their commitment to being proficient in multiple languages and exceeding expectations. Being multilingual is such an asset to our students as they enter their next chapter in the world of work, post-secondary learning and in their personal lives and experiences.”

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.”

Andrea Mani-Munoz and Zaida Correal qualified for seals in both Spanish and French and Damaris Mani-Munoz qualified for seals in Spanish and Italian making all three seniors fully trilingual.

The students worked with teachers Lorena Hickey, Gina Molvaut, Elizabeth Casazza, Michelle Viani, Marc-Thomas McKee and Nathalia Kopshti.

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

Spanish: Andrea Mani-Munoz, Charlotte Gordon, Christopher Granados Alfaro, Cristel Hernandez, Damaris Mani-Munoz, Dana Flores Guillen, Deanna Elvir, Donna Lazo Cuchels, Emily Guardado, Genesis Acevedo, Jannel Marroquin, Jessica Oliva, Katherine Estrada Morales, Kaylee Splendorio, Keylis Flores Velasquez, Kimberly Granados, Leuris Tavares-Espinal, Natalie Garcia, Sophia Kaloudis, Stacy Guevara, Zaida Correal

French: Cristian Alfaro-Buselo, Zaida Correal, Benjamin Edgar-McNerney, Andrea Mani-Munoz, Fabiola Molina-Rivera, Jennifer Vallejo Ortiz, Mari Velasquez Maldonado, Tyler Wheeler

Italian: Damaris Mani-Munoz, Brooke Parks and Kelly Zelaya

Latin: Mary Marinello