News Release
June 6, 2022
NEBRASKA STUDENTS AWARDED SEALS OF BILITERACY
The Nebraska Department of Education and the Nebraska International Language Association have awarded 145 Seals of Biliteracy to 144 Nebraska students this semester. This is the first time that a Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy has been issued for the language of Somali.
The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy is a collaboration between the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and the Nebraska International Language Association honoring high school students who have achieved a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language.
Students apply for the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy after demonstrating proficiency based on the Nebraska World Language Standards structured around communication, cultures, connections, communities, and cognition within a language other than English.
2022 Spring Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy Recipients
Ana Raymundo-Tercero
Omaha South High School
Spanish
Chris Lopez
Papillion La Vista Senior High School
Spanish
Emmy Lu Feek
Falls City Senior High School
Spanish
Ashley Rivas Martinez
Crete High School
Spanish
Darlyn Reyes Sosa
Omaha South High School
Spanish
Genesis Acosta-Garcia
Lexington High School
German
Brisa Garcia-Vargas
Lexington High School
Spanish
Ella Goeke-Schulte
West Holt Rural High School
Spanish
Gisela Meza-Guzman
Omaha South High School
Spanish
Gissell Martinez-Garcia
Omaha South High School
French
Jenny Dong
Millard West High School
Chinese
Karissa Rieck
Lincoln Southwest High School
French
Mallis Bonner
Omaha South High School
Spanish
Haley Hernandez-Sandoval
Lexington High School
Spanish
Jose Gonzalez-Hilario
Omaha South High School
Spanish
Landon Magana
Omaha South High School
Spanish
Sadie Jarecke
West Holt Rural High School
Spanish
Janna Marley
Lincoln High School
Spanish
Karen Estrada Gutierrez
Omaha Central High School
Spanish
Mailyne Zubiate-Rodriguez
Omaha South High School
Spanish
Community support is a crucial aspect of strengthening the foundation of World Language instruction. We are excited to announce new partnerships that will strengthen the Seal of Biliteracy program.
The University of Nebraska Lincoln will recognize the NE Bilingual Seal of Biliteracy for students entering this fall. Students who have earned a Gold or Silver designation in Spanish, French, and German will be placed into more advanced classes and will have the potential to earn retroactive credit.
Wayne State College will award six credits for students who have achieved a Silver designation and nine credits for those students who achieve a Gold designation.
Four organizations are also providing extra support for students. The Lincoln Chinese Cultural Association, the Nebraska Chinese Association, the Nebraska Languages Initiative and the Embassy of Spain will work with teachers and the community to provide professional development and other supports for students working towards the Seal of Biliteracy.
And Heartland Steel LLC has announced their support for the Seal by recognizing it as evidence of bilingual skills in their hiring process.
More information about the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy can be found online at: www.education.ne.gov/worldlanguage/nebraska-seal-of-biliteracy.
Public Information Officer, Nebraska Department of Education
402-471-4537
david.jespersen@nebraska.gov
@NDE_News