Rome City School District continues to recognize and celebrate linguistic diversity. Rome Free Academy is proud to honor students who have demonstrated proficiency in two or more languages by awarding them the Seal of Biliteracy.
The Seal of Biliteracy program acknowledges the valuable skills and cultural competencies that bilingual students bring to their communities and future endeavors. By mastering multiple languages, students not only expand their communication abilities, but also enhance their cognitive development and cultural understanding.
Through rigorous language assessments and coursework, these students have showcased their proficiency in languages such as Cebuano, French, Spanish, and Thai. The Seal of Biliteracy serves as a testament to their dedication and hard work in achieving linguistic excellence.
The Seal of Biliteracy program expresses pride in the school's commitment to promoting multilingualism and embracing diversity. Students who earn the Seal of Biliteracy will not only receive recognition on their diplomas, but also gain a competitive edge in college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and future career paths.
Rome Free Academy embraces the Seal of Biliteracy program, and its dedication to fostering a supportive learning environment where every student's unique talents and abilities are celebrated and valued.
These 12 students will walk across the stage at graduation with a medal and a New York State Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma. To receive this high honor, students have exceeded the regular diploma requirements and have earned above 85% on their English regents, completed a culminating project in English, scored above 85% in their advanced language courses or have scored proficient on a world language exam, as well as completed a culminating world language project. For the culminating project, students had to interview another person native to another country, complete a 400-word or more brochure, present in the world language for ten minutes, and then answer questions from multiple evaluators.
The following students have accomplished an amazing achievement:
Top Left to Right: Nikiya Pomponi (ENL Teacher), Oncupa Sakhonsithada, Gianna Badolato, Christopher Rivas, Delano Santiago, Justin Berrezueta, Tiana Gonzalez, Sara Swistak
Bottom Left to Right: Francesca Ginter, (Mary) Evie Denton, Alyssa D'Aiuto, Victoria Figueroa, Alicia Tourtelot