Five at Silver Creek earn Seal of Biliteracy

Seal of Biliteracy recipients from left are Rachel Beadle, Emily Bowers, Jorge Hasbun, Lucille Jimerson and Timothy Williams

Five Silver Creek students have received the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy, two of which are the first ever to receive the distinction for the Seneca language.

Timothy Williams and Lucille Jimerson are the first ever in the state to receive the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) for Seneca. Seneca is listed as a Category 3-4 language which means it’s more difficult to learn. The students were required to give a presentation in Seneca in front of a panel and score at the Intermediate-mid Level according to ACTFL Standards. They also had to complete a project, present, and score Intermediate High for the English portion to receive the NYSSB.

Alex Jimerson from the Deadiwenohsnye’s Gejohgwa’ Program was among the panelists who assisted in scoring. He also serves as an administrator of the testing done in the Immersion Program.

Jorge Hasbun, Emily Bowers and Rachael Beadle were awarded the NYSSB this year by completing a culminating project in Spanish and demonstrating proficiency at the Intermediate High Level according to ACTFL standards and were also required to complete an English project demonstrating the same.

The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) was started in 2012, with the first graduates obtaining the seal in 2016. The NYSSB recognizes students who have achieved a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other world language. The seal was created to promote the study of languages, identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers, provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission and placement, prepare students with 21st-century skills, recognize the value of language instruction, and to affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.

Pictured from left are Seal of Biliteracy recipients Rachel Beadle, Emily Bowers, Jorge Hasbun and Spanish Teacher Albert VanDette.

This is Silver Creek’s first year of students pursuing the Seal of Biliteracy for Seneca and we have at least one student who is pursuing the Seal in Seneca next year. At least five students are slated to apply for the NYSSB for the 2024-2025 academic year in hopes the program will grow.