19 Students Receive Seal of Biliteracy
Lancaster High School students have embraced the value of studying a new language and learning about other cultures. This year LHS awarded the highest number of the New York State Seal of Biliteracy to date.
On June 6, nineteen seniors were honored for their commitment to a world language, scoring an 85% or higher in a world language and English Language Arts. Additionally, students were required to prepare and present a project to a panel of judges to earn the distinction of the New York State Seal of Biliteracy.
The NYS Seal of Biliteracy was created to identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills to inform universities and employers of students’ qualifications and to recognize the value of diversity and language instruction in a 21st century, multilingual society. The NYS Seal of Biliteracy Program was implemented at Lancaster during the 2016-17 academic year just after the "Seal" was adopted by the NYS Board of Regents.
“Our Seal of Biliteracy program is a fantastic opportunity because it offers our students a unique challenge by having them immerse themselves into another language while in high school. That’s not easy. Our students show incredible commitment during this process and receive support from our all-star faculty members,” said Andy Krazmien, Director of Secondary Education.
2022 students honored were:
- Isabella Albino (Spanish)
- Emma Almeter (Spanish)
- Bridget Brown (Spanish)
- Brody Brown (German)
- Andrew Germann (German)
- Olivia Janicki (Spanish)
- Alyssa Kornacki (French)
- Jillian Kwitowski (Spanish)
- Lina Olivieri (French)
- Jessie Ricotta (Spanish)
- Brooke Schaefer (Spanish)
- Gillian Schwaraubriezmueller (German)
- Meadow Shields (German)
- George Stafanov (French, Bulgarian)
- Stefan Stefanov (Spanish, Bulgarian)
- Aubrie Strauch (German)
- Lucas Tutterman (French)
- Jess Vriesen (Spanish)
- Lauren Weydig (Spanish)
In addition, nine students were honored as part of the World Language Connections Program. This program celebrates students who have dedicated themselves to two world languages and accumulated seven credits in language offerings including the World Tourism and Cultural Awareness electives.
2022 students honored were:
- Emma Almeter
- Madison Balk
- Angelina Carollo
- Alyssa Kornacki
- Jessie Ricotta
- Gillian Schwarzmueller
- George Stefanov
- Jess Vriesen
- Lauren Weydig
“We are so happy and proud to celebrate each of our seniors that will graduate with the NYS Seal of Biliteracy and those who have completed the World Languages Connection Program. They have worked so hard to get here and we are inspired by how much they have embraced the power of languages in our lives,” Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator Holly O’Connor said.
The success of this program would not be possible without the support of advisors April Delsignore, Tracy Efthemis, Caroline Aungst, Arlene Rivett, Lisa Grahnert-Mullen, Marie Augustine and Holly O’Connor. Lancaster High School has ten dedicated world languages faculty members that teach Spanish, French and German in grades 9-12 as well as AP and Honors classes.
Front Row (left to right): Aubrie Strauch, Meadow Shields, Gillian Schwarzmueller, Jillian Kwitowski, Lauren Weydig, Jessie Ricotta, Emma Almeter, Isabella Albino, Olivia Janicki, Alyssa Kornacki, Lina Olivieri
Back Row (left to right): Lucas Tutterman, Stefan Stefanov, George Stefanov, Bridget Brown, Brody Brown, Andrew Germann, Jess Vriesen
Missing from photo: Brooke Shaefer
Front Row (left to right): Jess Vriesen, Jessie Ricotta, Emma Almeter, Lauren Weydig, Alyssa Kornacki
Back Row (left to right): George Stefanov, Gillian Schwarzmueller, Madison Balk, Angelina Carollo
