Last week, Collinsville High School World Language Department announced 20 seniors attained the 2020 Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy and received an added decoration on their diplomas. Traditionally, those students are honored with a group photo at graduation, however, this year, students earning the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish were surprised at their home by a parade of World Language teachers who left the good news their doorsteps.
The Illinois Seal of Biliteracy recognizes a student’s ability to effectively communicate in multiple languages. All students first had to prove their ability to communicate in English based on their SAT/ACT scores. After that, students were tested in their second language. This year, due to remote learning, the tests were given in a new format.
For the first time in CHS history, a student was recognized for tri-literacy. Nicole Pacheco earned the Seal of Biliteracy in both Latin and Spanish. In addition, more than two dozen students earned Commendation of Biliteracy in their respective languages.
Department Chair Cara Kettler said, “The CHS World Language Department spent the afternoon parading through Collinsville, Caseyville, Maryville and Fairmont City celebrating our Seniors who received the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. Testing remotely was a challenge, but they rose to the challenge and came out on top! We couldn’t be more proud of these incredibly awesome kids!”
For earning the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish:
Alondra Muñoz
Monserrat Muñoz
Abriana Rivas
Lena Juenger
Rebecca Howard
Destiny Johnson
Ashley Sanchez
Jackelin Lopez
Anna Grace Weil
Denise Varela
Edgar Calderon
Kayla Hancher
Lasaro Rodriguez
Jennifer Ramirez
Selina Villegas
Nicole Pacheco
Madeline Lautz
Isabella Perryman
For earning the Commendation of Biliteracy in Spanish:
Brittany Bettorf
Alexys Ham
Natalie Becker
Hunter Juengel
Katelyn Daniel
Coraima Torres
Antwan Catchings
Elise Halbrooks
Lauren Fortner
Dalani Dalton
Maria Romo
Shayla Mercado
Maxwell Meseke
Joel Garcia
For earning the Seal of Biliteracy in Latin:
Julia Eversmann
Nicole Pacheco
For earning a Commendation of Biliteracy in Latin:
Nyah Crockett
Gabriel Duncan
Tyler Garner
Hannah Herman
Melanie Johnson
Mackenzie Lawrence
Jalen May
Kristyn Mitchell
Jeremy Ovalle
Sam Phelps
Darby Tarrant
Spencer Vlasak
Jaden Willis
Bradley Wilson
For earning a Seal of Tri-Literacy by earning biliteracy seals for both Latin and Spanish for the first time in CHS history:
Nicole Pacheco