Starr’s Mill’s foreign language program allowed for the growth in language of eleven particular students to the point where they are now biliterate.

These students earned the seal of biliteracy by achieving a four or a five on their advanced placement language exam, as well as having at least a 3.0 grade point average overall. The Spanish students are Victoria Benavides, Connor Gayda, Matthew Corrigan, Sky Dedrik, Maddy Hammond, Katherine Lindley, Taylor Milligan, Jack Moor, and Daniella Vivas. The German students who earned this achievement are Kayla Christ and Madison Hagen.  All recipients graduated last May.

“We worked after school [and] before school to prepare, so the fact that they were able to get the biliteracy seal just shows that we are doing the right things at Starr’s Mill,” German teacher Antonela Klijajic said.

The seal allows universities to give college credit for the course due to the fact that they are already proficient in the language. It also allows employers to recognize those who are proficient in multiple languages. Not only does it help students in the future, it also encourages students to study foreign languages, and it even gives credit to public school language programs.

“For me, as the teacher of these students who are earning this seal of biliteracy, it’s something very important because it gives them credit for their abilities in the language that they are learning,” Spanish teacher Madeline Rodriguez said.

The seals will be mailed to the students from the school as soon as they are sent to Principal Allen Leonard, and should be added to their résumés.