A number of J-D High School students are one step closer to earning their New York state Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB). The final step is upholding high averages in their 12th grade English or Capstone courses.
The NYSSB recognizes high school students who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. Students must demonstrate the required level of proficiency for the seal by completing and presenting a culminating project, scholarly essay or portfolio. This self driven project teaches students time management among many other professional skills.
This year’s group of candidates each pursued unique topics and started working on their presentations back in November.
“The group demonstrated an appreciation for learning, dedication toward completing a goal, growth in their respective languages, and a deepened cultural awareness,” shared Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator Caitlin Johnston. “They also supported each other with feedback, shared information and modeled presentational skills with their peers.”
Some students will earn a Quadruple or Tri-Seal demonstrating mastery in three or four languages. The junior candidates will be eligible to earn their seal at the end of the next academic year.
Please congratulate:
Quadruple Seal
- Arwa Algergawi – English, Arabic, Spanish, Turkish
Tri-Seal
- Lauren Caporaso – English, Italian, Spanish
- Daniel Luo – English, Chinese, French
Seal of Biliteracy
- Chase Dera – English, Spanish
- Lillian Engel – English, Spanish
- Sabah Ghanim – English, Arabic (fulfilled NYSSB project in 2025)
- Wenyan Ma – English, Chinese (fulfilled NYSSB project in 2025)
- Sinead McDevitt – English, Spanish
- Kayla McQuaid – English, Spanish
- Madelyn Murphy – English, Spanish
- Danielle Patterson – English, Spanish
- Leah Peterson – English, Spanish
- Rehaan Rakhesh – English, Spanish
- Darya Ranjbaran – English, Spanish
- Ryan Rigdon – English, Spanish
- Ronen Shapiro – English, Russian
- Sara Skewes – English, Spanish
- Camilla Valladares – English, Spanish
- Brian Wai – English, French
NYSSB 2027 NYSSB Candidates
- Enes Damkaci – English, Turkish
- Sondos Hasan – English, Arabic
- Jannah Hazama – English, Arabic