CENTREVILLE — (June 21, 2023) — For the fifth year straight World Language teachers in Queen Anne’s County Public Schools have helped produce Maryland Seal of Biliteracy Medalists at both Queen Anne’s County High School (QACHS) and Kent Island High School (KIHS).
This year, more records were broken at QACHS with 14 seniors, and 12 potential underclassmen earning the Seal—two of which could become Dual Seal of Biliteracy earners in both Spanish and French, which would become another district ‘first ’. At KIHS 9 seniors earned the Seal of Biliteracy, with 9 underclassmen potentially earning the Seal as well.
“The Seal of Biliteracy continues to be a motivating factor for students in our World Languages program,” said David Stricker, QACHS Department Chair. “This year we set another record for the number of students earning the Seal of Biliteracy and are on track to break it next year as well. These students have discovered that learning a second language is not about memorizing words and grammar. It is about being able to communicate your ideas in the second language. Earning the Seal of Biliteracy helps expand a student’s outlook and transform their viewpoint of the world.”
Lori Heggelke, KIHS Department Chair shared (in part) from her speech to students at Senior Awards night: “Students earning the Seal—here is my message to you—I implore you to keep up with using both English and Spanish in your future, whether it is in your personal life or professionally. At times, you may feel the ‘burden of being bilingual’ when you are asked to use your skills. Insist on compensation when it is work, but also know when to give your bilingualism freely as a gift to others when the time comes. You’ll know when that is.”
Students earning the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy receive a medal, special recognition at senior awards ceremonies, a gold seal affixed on their diploma and a special designation appears on the students’ transcripts so that every college knows the student is ‘biliterate’, which is a huge draw to future employers.
There have been a consistent number of Seal of Biliteracy earners in QACPS annually too, beginning with seventeen in 2019, nineteen in 2020, twenty-six in 2021, twenty-eight in 2022, and twenty-three seniors in 2023.
All students in World Language classes in levels 3 – AP were given the opportunity to take the AAPPL test (ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages) free of charge, including several re-takes of sections where students were close to earning, thanks to a grant written by the Supervisor at Central Office to support this district-wide initiative. Here are the 2023 Maryland Seal of Biliteracy Senior earners from both high schools:
KIHS 2023 Seal of Biliteracy Senior Earners
Lauren Roberts
Steve Sanchez
Kate Fachet
Katherine Alvarenga
Amy Ludden
Kelsie Hart
Anthony Spinelli
Ana Jensen
Rosa Acosta Hiraldo
QACHS 2023 Seal of Biliteracy Senior Earners
Angelina Marchan
Esmeralda Regalado
Jazelle Torres
Thadeo Hyland
Saul Ruiz Mireles
Brian Rodriguez Orozco
Danny Brown
Dylan Patterson
Harrison Sheridan
Ryan Sun
Wylee Kusmider
Sherlin Vasquez
Teresa Blanco
Benjamin Boeshore