CANTON — Superintendent Derek Folan and World Languages Coordinator Heidi Olson are pleased to report that the Canton Public Schools held its annual World Languages Department student recognition night earlier this month, honoring students from both the Galvin Middle School and Canton High School.
The event was held on Thursday, May 18 in the Canton High School Auditorium. Over 250 students in grades 7-12 were recognized for their leadership, excellence and growth studying world languages.
“These awards celebrate our students’ unwavering commitment to learning about and understanding other cultures, and embracing diversity,” said Superintendent Folan. “I would also like to recognize our dedicated teachers who have supported these students throughout their language studies.”
Superintendent Folan began the event with opening remarks, followed by Canton School Committee Chair Kendall O’Halloran, Canton High School Principal Jeffrey Sperling and Galvin Middle School Principal Jonathan Mulhern.
As part of the event, 14 students were recognized for earning the Seal of Biliteracy from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. These students included:
- Jad Antoun (French)
- Nicolas Brooks (Spanish)
- Alvaro Cezon Gimenez (Spanish)
- David Chapin (Spanish)
- Noah Doherty (Spanish)
- Rose Giglio (Spanish)
- Makayla Gomes (Spanish)
- Keith Hannon (Spanish)
- Liya Joseph (Spanish)
- Allison Long (Spanish)
- Iva Morozova (Russian)
- Abigail Martin (Spanish)
- Nadira Simon (Spanish)
- Kelli Woodworth (Spanish)
Matthew Lesser (Spanish) and Zoe Yu (Mandarin) were also recognized for earning the State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction.
The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy is an official designation that provides recognition to students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language. The award takes the form of a seal that appears on the transcript or diploma of the graduating senior and is a statement of accomplishment for future employers and for college admissions.
“I would like to congratulate our dedicated students who were recognized for their steadfast commitment to their language studies,” said Olson. “This is a well-deserved honor for all students and we could not be more proud.”
In addition to recognizing students for earning the State Seal of Biliteracy, the World Languages Department student recognition night also highlighted Galvin Middle School and Canton High School students for achieving a wide range of language-related awards and recognitions.
Assessment of Performance Toward Proficiency in Language Exam
Students receiving Intermediate Low proficiency in all four language domains – speaking, writing, listening, and reading — included eighth-graders:
- Sian Parikh (French)
- Maite Iriarte (French)
- Rebecka Lynne Alano (Spanish)
- Brooke Perlman (Spanish)
- Amelia Chambon (Spanish)
- Isabel Colmey (Spanish)
- Esperanza Encarnacion (Spanish)
- Lillia Ivaniv (Spanish)
- Penelope LaRose (Spanish)
Students receiving Intermediate High proficiency in all four language domains – speaking, writing, listening, and reading — included CHS students:
- Julia Cummings, junior (French)
- Firma Tamara Pierre, sophomore (French)
- Bharat Ramanathan, freshman (Tamil)
The Intermediate High proficiency achievement qualifies the students for the State Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation.
National German Examination
- Sofia Bonfa, sophomore (Gold Medal)
- Atlas Curran-Barker, senior (Gold Medal)
- James Cordeiro, sophomore (Achievement Award)
- Haolin (Henry) Luo, junior (Achievement Award)
- Adeline Crawford, sophomore (Achievement Award)
CHS World Languages Leadership and Service Award
Four students were recognized for their contributions to the planning of the 2023 World Languages Week:
- Allison Long, senior
- Nadira Simon, senior
- Kelli Woodworth, senior
- Zoe Yu, senior
Massachusetts Foreign Language Association (MAFLA) Academic Achievement Award
- Emma Bouwmeester, grade 8 (French)
- Brooke Perlman, grade 8 (Spanish)
- Emily Kelley, senior (AP French)
- Johanna Bouwmeester, senior (German 4)
- Davin Chapin, senior (AP Spanish)
MAFLA Leadership Award
- Zoe Yu, senior (Mandarin and Spanish)
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