Gentry, AR — Three Gentry High School students recently earned the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy, a distinguished award that honors students for demonstrating proficiency in English and at least one additional language.
Senior Alexsandra Garcia, senior Sareth Tovar, and sophomore Jacciry Zuniga were recently awarded this prestigious certification, joining other students from across the state who received the Seal this year.
“We’re incredibly proud of Alexsandra, Sareth, and Jacciry for this remarkable achievement,” said Megan Oaks, Gentry’s District ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) leader. “Their hard work and dedication to becoming multilingual not only reflects academic excellence but also prepares them for a successful future in an increasingly global society.”
The Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy is awarded each spring and fall to students in grades 9–12 who meet proficiency standards in English and another language. The program is sponsored by the Arkansas Foreign Language Teachers Association (AFLTA) and Arkansas Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ARKTESOL), and was officially endorsed by the Arkansas Department of Education in 2018.
Since Arkansas's pilot year in 2017, more than 7,200 students from 120 high schools have earned the Seal across 43 different languages. Originally launched in California in 2011, the Seal of Biliteracy is now recognized in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as a symbol of linguistic and academic achievement that is highly valued by colleges and employers.
For more information on the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy, visit https://sealofbiliteracy.org.
Media Contact:
Mark Scott
Director of Community Engagement
mscott@gentrypioneers.com