For Immediate Release

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Melrose High School Students Earn Seals of Biliteracy in Multiple Languages

MELROSE — Principal Jason Merrill is pleased to announce that 48 Melrose High School seniors have earned Seals of Biliteracy from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for achieving proficiency in two or more languages.

Students received the award — which acknowledges their foreign language skills in speaking, writing and reading — during a ceremony on May 25 at the Melrose Performing Arts Center.

At MHS, students are given the opportunity to take French, German, Italian, Latin and Spanish. Additionally, there are 20 languages spoken by ELL students.

MHS began administering Seals of Biliteracy last year and is part of the growing number of schools across the country that celebrates success in world language studies with this honor.

““The ability to speak multiple languages and understand different cultures are excellent qualities to have, and we are proud of the students who choose to develop these skills,” Principal Merrill said. “The Seal of Biliteracy is a great way to recognize and support those who pursue foreign language studies.”

Biliteracy seals are broken down into three categories based on students’ level of study and proficiency. Of the 48 students honored, 22 received the Silver Seal, 22 earned the Gold Seal and four were honored with the Platinum Seal.

Platinum Seal

Awarded to students who score an average of Advanced Low on the STAMP proficiency test and earned a rating of Advanced on the ELA MCAS test.

Winners include: Alva Ronn, Connor Anderson, Emily DiPietro and Michaela Fanikos

Gold Seal
Gold seals are awarded to students who score an average of Intermediate High on the STAMP proficiency test and earned a rating of Proficient or Advanced on the ELA MCAS test.

Winners include: John O’Connell, Emily, Otaluka, Sophie Sniegocki, Samantha Sweet, Chloe Melville, Gregory Hirsch, Bella Federico, Rachel Fracasso, Jeannie Phan, Anne Morrison, Colleen Denning, Devin Castano, Gabrielle McDonnell, Jake Yezerski, Joseph Connolly, Jenna Santos, Kathy Chieng, Tania Dutra, Tess Castergine, Marinska Marcellus, Tess Lepler and Yvane Ngassa.

Silver Seal
Silver seals are awarded to students who score an average of Intermediate Mid on the STAMP proficiency test and earned a rating of Proficient or Advanced on the ELA MCAS test.

Winners include: Sydney Hy, Erik Heislein, Ethan Weiss, Ezra Stobbe, Marie Arlene Svoboda, Timothy Corvene, Timothy Broderick, Sophia Manfra-Levitt, Courtney Murphy, Ignacio Baeza-Diaz, Jacquelyn Schwarz, Jenna DelMastro, Julia McLaughlin, Michael Dreske, Nicholas Vienot, Nicolette Adrian Olivia Zibaitis, Sam Stallings, JP Bulman, Holly Bourque, Rachel Freed and Isabel Bates.

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