District 228 Announces the Names of Seal of Biliteracy and Commendation of Biliteracy Recipients

Bremen High School District 228 is pleased to announce the names of 18 students who have received the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy and Illinois State Commendation of Biliteracy. They are:

Bremen High School
Esmeralda Aguilar, Seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish
Damian Behymer, Seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish
Javier Covarrubias, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish
Suhayb Froukh, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Arabic
Michelle Genta, Seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish
Ricardo Gutierrez, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish
Daisy Herrera, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish
Felipe Lopez, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish
Raymond Perez, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish
Veronica Torres, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish
Marco Zendejas, Seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish

Tinley Park High School
Elizabeth Carrillo, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish

Hillcrest High School
Jada Roberts, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish
Moriam Yarrow, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish

Oak Forest High School
Kika Arias, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish
Amanda Beall, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish
Elizabeth Ramirez, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish
Favian Rosales, Commendation of Biliteracy English and Spanish

This is the first year District 228 has offered this program, and it is one of few districts in the State of Illinois to do so. D228 World Languages Department Supervisor Maureen Miller said, “I feel like a proud parent. These students worked hard and went above and beyond to show their interest and commitment to a second language. This accomplishment will surely assist them as they work toward their career goals and other areas of their lives.”

The State of Illinois passed Senate Bill 1221, Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, on August 27, 2013. This law establishes the State Seal of Biliteracy program to recognize public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English.

The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy and the Commendation is reflected on students' high school transcripts and diplomas. To receive the Seal of Biliteracy, a high school junior must receive a score of 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement (AP) language exam and must have a minimum score of 21 composite on the ACT. To receive the Seal of Commendation, a high school junior must receive a score of 3 on an Advanced Placement (AP) language exam and must have a minimum score of 21 composite on the ACT. If the students does not take an AP exam, he or she must take the American Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) exam online and receive an intermediate or high score.