MONTAGUE — For five seniors at Turners Falls High School who earned the Seal of Biliteracy, speaking Spanish means more than just speaking a language.
“Speaking Spanish isn’t just speaking it,” Yolvin Ovalle Mejia said. “It brings a culture and people together.”
Mejia and his classmates, Michael Berdugo, Elsee Galvez Martin, Mario Pareja and John Ramirez Martin, are believed to be the largest cohort of students from Turners Falls High School to earn the Seal of Biliteracy, with Mejia scoring high enough on the exam to earn his award with distinction. Each of these students will earn a stamp on their diplomas.
According to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates who achieve “high functional and academic levels” of proficiency in English and another language, or languages.
“Our vision is to help students recognize the value of their academic success and see the tangible benefits of being bilingual,” DESE states.
Since 2019, 18,049 high school graduates have earned the seal, and 77% of schools are authorized to award the seal.
This year’s cohort of students at Turners Falls High School received the honor for biliteracy in English and Spanish, with the students sharing how they’ve come from Spanish-speaking households and had family members previously take and earn the seal.
Berdugo said he grew up speaking Spanish, and his mother encouraged him to take the exam, saying she gave him the confidence to take the test. Similarly, Pareja said his mother encouraged him to take the test. Additionally, Pareja’s brother took the test a few years ago and earned the seal, and he said some perks go along with earning the award, like college credits, which made the exam appealing.
In reflecting on the exam and his personal accomplishment, John Ramirez Martin said that earning the seal is something his family is proud of, and that he’s proud of himself.
“I think it means a lot to me, because not only are my parents proud, but I think I’m proud of myself, because it’s something that you can use in your day-to-day life,” he said, adding that the Seal of Biliteracy can help with future job searches.
From a district-wide perspective, Pareja noted that Turners Falls has a sizeable Latino and Hispanic community, and that Spanish has been a big part of their lives as students.
Assistant Principal Adam Graves said that from his perspective, having students speaking not only Spanish, but other languages as well, brings out the diversity and culture of the school, adding that it’s “wonderful” to see this group of students be able to comprehend both languages at such an advanced level.
“It really brings a great vibe and community spirit to the entire school and community,” Graves said.
Having earned the Seal of Biliteracy, Mejia said he hopes this could serve as an opportunity to further educate the school community about Spanish, and maybe earn another Turners Falls student a seal in the future.
“I feel like us, as a small group that we are, we can make a big impact here, and hopefully expand our network, keep learning, and maybe, hopefully, they could get another seal.”
