(Eureka)— The ninth annual California Seal of Biliteracy Award program was held May 27 as a virtual online ceremony on the Humboldt County Office of Education website, honoring 120 seniors from nine local high schools.
This event started in 2012-13 and this year recognizes and celebrates 120 graduating high school seniors from ten schools in Humboldt County.
“Despite the challenges of this year, we’re proud of the students who participated in order to earn their Seal of Biliteracy,” said Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Chris Hartley.
These students achieved a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in at least two languages, one of which may be English.
Students who are certified to have the Seal added to their high school diplomas meet rigorous criteria in both English and at least one other language, including grades, written essays, and comprehensive interviews conducted by HSU Department of World Languages and Cultures professors, high school world language teachers and community members, among other requirements.
The awards program included remarks from Dr. Hartley, as well as Seal Coordinator and HCOE Learning Specialist, Agustín Amaro and McKinleyville High student Alysa Cringle. All of the interviews were conducted online with Zoom or Google Meet. 151 tele-interviews were conducted for the event. Volunteers from Humboldt County, including 2 former student interviewers participated.
“Through your study of languages, you now possess the augmented super-power of multi-literacy and multilingualism,” said Amaro in a message to students. “A multi-literate individual will find that they are now in better position to see, feel, hear and think and talk about the world.”
The Seal of Biliteracy is recognized as a valuable asset for employment, college admission, cultural identity, and personal growth. The program is sponsored by the Humboldt County Office of Education, in partnership with Humboldt State University and in collaboration with each school counselor and language educators.
For more information, please contact HCOE Learning Specialist Agustín Amaro, at (707) 502-4343 or aamaro@hcoe.org.
Here are the Stats for this year’s Seal interviews:
- 151 interviewed
- 105 for Spanish
- 30 for French
- 1 for Spanish/French
- 12 for German
- 118 seniors eligible to receive certificate/seal/medal this year
- 14 juniors/1 sophomore (prior primary language immersion student) have passed oral for their senior year
High schools represented: Arcata High, Academy of the Redwoods, Eureka High, Fortuna High, Ferndale High, McKinleyville High, NPA, South Fork High and Saint Bernard’s Academy
You can view the ceremony in its entirety at https://hcoe.org/seal-of-biliteracy/