WEST COLUMBIA, SC -- Thirty-two Lexington Two students qualified for the first South Carolina Seal of Biliteracy, an award from the SC Department of Education that recognizes students who have attained a functional level of proficiency in English and another language by graduation.
“The South Carolina Seal of Biliteracy advances the state's commitment to preparing every learner for college- and career-readiness in an increasingly international community by recognizing learners who attain levels of proficiency in English and at least one other world language required in the global workforce,” the department said in a statement announcing the recognition. The Seal of Biliteracy serves to certify attainment of biliteracy for students, employers and universities.
Among the Lexington Two students recognized:
BROOKLAND-CAYCE HIGH
Ruidong Chen: Chinese (Mandarin)
Ernesto Ortiz-Montero: Spanish
Xochitl Lopez-Lagunes: Spanish
Lorenzo Culebro-Gonzalez: Spanish
Lied Dyana Hernandez: Spanish
Mayra Gissel Lozano Roman: Spanish
Destani Hough: Latin
Jacob Reed: Latin
AIRPORT HIGH
Alondra Diaz: Spanish
Stefhani Joana Lopez Lopez: Spanish
Emily Ortega Lopez: Spanish
Ricardo Morales-Gonzalez: Spanish
Alma Pahua: Spanish
Paola Rafael Perez: Spanish
Amber Walker: Spanish
Angel Anderson: Spanish
Jaide Vazquez-Velez: Spanish
Ja' Shon Muller: Spanish
Julia Lampley: Spanish
MaKayla Lykes: Spanish
Ronald Mims: Spanish
Autumn Jackson: French
Hannah Fisher: French
Kayla Bouknight: French
Kristin Easterwood: French
Logan Ellis: French
Kimberly Rojas: French
Sarah Ouellette: French
Sydney Tronco: French
Nicholas Hannah: German
Trace Wingard: German
Miriam Mena-Cartagena: Spanish
"The Seal of Biliteracy is an honor and a celebration of the accomplishments of both native English speakers and those for whom English is a second language,” said Carla Stegall, coordinator of ESOL/Title III for Lexington Two. “This seal will be seen by future employers as proof of dual language proficiency, and some universities even provide course credit and will exempt students from language classes. South Carolina is home to many international companies who are looking to hire bilingual employees, and this accomplishment will serve as yet another qualification for job seekers."
The recognition may take the form of a seal on the diploma or a separate certificate, and it may include a notation that appears on the transcript of the graduating senior.
In addition to South Carolina, 33 states and Washington D.C. have approved Seals of Biliteracy. The seal supports the state’s emphasis on The Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, which underscores the need for world class knowledge, world class skills, and life and career characteristics that today’s graduates need for college and career success.