Schools
Worcester Schools Honors Record Number Of Biliteracy Award Winners
The school district honored more than 300 multilingual and biliterate high school seniors.
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester Public Schools honored more than 300 multilingual and biliterate high school seniors Monday at its annual Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy ceremony at Doherty Memorial High School.
The district recognized a record 232 students with the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, including 40 awards with distinction, during the May 18 ceremony. Worcester Public Schools also recognized 100 additional students with its Pathway Award. District officials said this year's group represented 24 languages.
You can find a complete list of the students awarded below.
The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating seniors who demonstrate high functional and academic proficiency in English and at least one other world language. The distinction recognizes students who show advanced proficiency and fluency in English and at least one other language.
The award appears as a seal on a student's diploma or transcript and can be used as a credential for college admissions and future employers.
Worcester Public Schools said the program has grown steadily in recent years. A total of 122 students earned the seal in 2022-23, followed by 210 in 2023-24 and 216 in 2024-25, according to the district. The 232 awards in 2025-26 mark the highest total in the program's eight-year history in Worcester.
"Seeing the Seal of Biliteracy program grow to a record-breaking 232 students this year is a significant milestone for our district," Superintendent Brian E. Allen said. "This growth represents our ongoing investment in multilingual education and the tireless commitment of our staff. It also reflects the drive of our students to pursue academic challenges that provide a distinct advantage upon their graduation. We are proud to celebrate these scholars and the diversity that strengthens our city."
The district's Pathway Award is a Worcester-specific recognition for seniors who reach an intermediate-mid proficiency level in a language other than English.
The ceremony also featured remarks from Burncoat High School senior Gloria Akosua Agyapong-Adumatta, who earned the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction in Twi. In her speech, Agyapong-Adumatta said multilingualism helps build community and bridge cultural divides.
"Receiving this award represents not only my growth, but also the journey of learning languages and how they help us connect not just with ourselves, but with others as well," Agyapong-Adumatta said.
Here's a complete list of the students who received the honor, not including names of students whose parents or guardians opted out of media consent:
Burncoat High School
Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction Recipients
- Adwoa Boakye-Agyemang, Twi
- Gloria Adumatta, Twi
- Isabella Souza Scheidegger, Portuguese
- Osiris Del Cid Amezquita, Spanish
- Thien Tam Phan, Vietnamese
Seal of Biliteracy Recipients:
- Adrian Cruz Borjas, Spanish
- Alberto Bonilla, Spanish
- Austyn Polanco, Spanish
- Edwin Vizcarrondo, Spanish
- Fiker Gebere, Amharic
- Isabella Ortiz, Spanish
- Jandiel Quintero, Spanish
- Kamila Merino, Spanish
- Katye Cardoso, Portuguese
- Kayleigh Arbuckle, Spanish
- Kiara Adorno, Spanish
- Phu Dang, Vietnamese
- Sara Pinzon, Spanish
- Tam Nguyen, Vietnamese
- Yabsera Gebere, Amharic
- Jesten Morales, Spanish
- Nathan Dias, Portuguese
Pathway Recipients:
- Emersynne Jones, French
- Gabrielle Rivera, Spanish
- Geyli Coc Ax, Spanish
- Lindie Dorvil, Haitian Creole & French
Claremont Academy
Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction Recipients
- Carol Angeline Somersall Feliz, Spanish
Seal of Biliteracy Recipients:
- Janiel Alicea, Spanish & American Sign Language
- Cathy Alvarado Abrego, Spanish & American Sign Language
- Edwin Guevara, Spanish
- Wilmer Gonon Chavez, Spanish
- Gileyza Michelle Gonzalez Benitez, Spanish
- Anna Nguyen, Vietnamese
- Yonatan Pena Orellana, Spanish & American Sign Language
- Astrid Gerymar Rodriguez Morla, Spanish
- Jason Steven Romero Jacobo, Spanish
- Gerber Escobar Carias, Spanish
- Paola Orozco, Spanish
Pathway Recipients:
- Alison Aguilar, Spanish
- Nadeen Alrbehat, Arabic
- Hamed Azimi, Dari
- Josibel Brito, American Sign Language
- Esmeralda Castillo Rodriguez, Spanish
- Gerber Escobar Carias, American Sign Language
- Gileyza Michelle Gonzalez Benitez, American Sign Language
- Maria Luisa Jeanty Cuasy, Spanish
- Rosa Lopez, Spanish
- Haniell Martinez, Spanish
- Antonio Montalvo, American Sign Language
- Liliana Penaloza, American Sign Language
- Wilfry Perez, Spanish & American Sign Language
- Maryleyni Sanchez Galvan, Spanish
- Gabriel Sanchez, Spanish
- Wismeily Santos Sabillon, Spanish
- Carol Angelina Somersall Feliz, Spanish
Doherty Memorial High School
Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction Recipients:
- Audrey Akoto, Twi
- Nathalie Avalos Guzman, Spanish
- Amanda Correa, Portuguese
- Jean Doll, French
- Diana Le, Vietnamese
- Luna Martinez Lopez, Spanish
- Rijana Melka, Albanian
- Kleri Morcka, Albanian
- Jorgea Nico, Albanian
- Illay Peres, Portuguese
- Johan Pinzon Nivia, Spanish
- Paula Rivera Lopez, Spanish
- Frejsis Telhaj, Albanian
Seal of Biliteracy Recipients:
- Caleb Adjetey, Twi
- Wenifel Bernabel Aquino, Spanish
- Ethan Burgos, Spanish
- Ursula Dornelas, Portuguese
- Kayla Djomo, French
- Ana Clara Ferreira Batista, Portuguese
- Paola Garcia, Spanish
- Kristiana Goga, Albanian
- Guiomar Gonzalez, Spanish
- Stephany Guevara, Spanish
- Ayleen Hernandez, Spanish
- Ayron Hernandez, Spanish
- Ernesto Hernandez, Spanish
- Zuleydi Isabel, Spanish
- Xiomara Jimenez Alfonso, Spanish
- Eldamenjie Laudin, Haitian Creole
- Anthony Lubo, Spanish
- Keishly Minaya, Spanish
- Rabecca Musau, Nyanja
- Emmanuela Nascimento, Portuguese
- Osdalia Nieves, Spanish
- Ana Clara Padilha, Portuguese
- Bernardo Pena dos Santos, Portuguese
- Paola Renxa, Albanian
- Mark Rodriguez, Spanish
- Gabriela Rosario Perez, Spanish
- Grace Serrano Garcia, Spanish
- Sophia Silva, Portuguese
- Lucia Smachetti, Spanish
- Omarlyng Solano, Spanish
- Mayrelys Soto, Spanish
- Valery Soto Rivera, Spanish
Pathway Recipients:
- Haneen Abdalkarem, Arabic
- Shazia Ahmadi, Persian
- Houda Almeslmani, Arabic & Turkish
- Cindry Almonte Veloz, Spanish
- Allison Alvarado Santos, Spanish
- Keramtullah Azimi, Dari
- Yashfa Bashir, Urdu
- Favelay Doll, French
- Eldamenjie Laudin, French
- Kevin Leka, Albanian
- Nazanin Noori, Dari
- Isai Rosas, Spanish
- Mathiw Rubio, Spanish
- Diereliz Sosa, Spanish
- Denzel Torres, Spanish
- Medjine Turenne, French & Haitian Creole
- Ian Valentin Ortiz, Spanish
- Basmina Wali Zai, Pashto
Gerald Creamer Center
Seal of Biliteracy Recipients:
- Barbarah Dos Santos, Portuguese
- Benny Hammond, Twi
North High School
Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction Recipients:
- Danielle Oppong, Twi
- Elizabeth Abeka Bannerman, Ga
- Felipe Souza, Portuguese
- Jordi Flores, Spanish
- Pedro Reis, Portuguese
Seal of Biliteracy Recipients:
- Alba Sencion, Spanish
- Alisson Marquez, Spanish
- Alondra Sofia Figueroa Tolentino, Spanish
- Ana Isabel Ferreira Andrade, Portuguese
- Andre Souza, Portuguese
- Angelise Samson, Spanish
- Ayme Rodrigues, Portuguese
- Bashar Alhajjo, Arabic
- Brayan DeLeon, Spanish
- Brianni Acosta Montero, Spanish
- Bruna Inacio, Portuguese
- Caleb Ampong, Twi
- Carolyn Rivera, Spanish
- Chelsea Okantey, Twi
- Christopher Veillard, Haitian Creole
- Davi Ribeiro, Portuguese
- Emmanuella Aborah, Twi
- Erick Elena Villatoro, Spanish
- Fabiola Amaya, Spanish
- Glorianis Pica, Spanish
- Ian Ocasio, Spanish
- Joshua Aguilar, Spanish
- Khalil Mahmud Morel, Spanish
- Kharl Riviere, Haitian Creole
- Kiarybeth Pacheco, Spanish
- Kimberly Claire Freitas, Portuguese
- Liangely Rivera Otero, Spanish
- Marianny Garcia Valdez, Spanish
- Marly Carries, Haitian Creole
- Nicole Pineda, Spanish
- Shane Mishihu, Twi
- Sofia Carrion, Spanish
- Valentina Sanchez, Spanish
- William Quiñones, Spanish
- Winifred Omane, Twi
- Yasamin Atayee, Farsi
- Yehowa Da Sackeyfio, Twi & Ga
- Dabby Garrido Pena, Spanish
- Sophaniella Joseph, Haitian Creole
Pathway Recipients:
- Blessed Karanja, Swahili
- Brenda Lopez, Portuguese & Spanish
- Dabby Garrido Pena, Portuguese
- Djoudely R. Antoine, Haitian Creole & French
- Elias Perez Rivas, Spanish
- Fernando Jimenez, Spanish
- Fritzley Banks, Haitian Creole & French
- Jonas Figueiras, Spanish
- Jonathan Molina, Spanish
- Linsley Samuel, Swahili
- Luis Rodriguez Sanchez, Spanish
- Omar Cerritos, Spanish
- Yadielys Otero, Spanish
- Zinah Alhusaini, Arabic & Turkish
South High Community School
Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction Recipients:
- Allan Eshun, Twi
- Benjamin Williams, French
- Camila Yauckoes, Spanish
- Daniel Ong, Vietnamese
- Dao Tran, Vietnamese
- Isha Adan, Somali
- Kecie Nelson, Haitian Creole
- Leanna Obeng Sarfo, Twi
- Mendalie Eugenio Elan, Spanish
- Olivia Bode, Albanian
- Pavel Orellana, Spanish
- Suzzy Afriyie, Twi
Seal of Biliteracy Recipients:
- Alex Louis, Haitian Creole, Spanish and Portuguese
- Ana Clara Aguida Correia Dos Santos, Portuguese and Spanish
- Angelica Chamorro, Spanish
- Benjamin Williams, Spanish
- Camilly Porfirio, Portuguese & Spanish
- Caua Martins, Portuguese
- Davis Bosompem, Twi
- Dieu Seul Madjitoloum, French
- Eduarda De Calais, Portuguese
- Emily Huerta, American Sign Language
- Emily Yoshida, Portuguese and Spanish
- Erika Gutierrez, Spanish
- Evelyn Owusu-Boahene, Twi
- Huu Thinh Hua, Vietnamese
- Ian Reyes, Spanish
- Jaydaliz Melendez, Spanish
- Jeffrey Antwi, Twi
- Joel Meza Pineda, Spanish
- Jordan Dennett, Spanish
- Karla Orellana Hernandez, Spanish
- Kenderson Dorcelus, Haitian Creole & Portuguese
- Kevin Quito, Spanish
- Lary Feliz Valenzuela, Spanish
- Leonardo Centeno Kurlanska, Spanish
- Lucas Oliveira, Portuguese
- Luisianne Quijada, Spanish
- Mahdia Yaqoobi, Dari, Persian and Pashto
- Manuel De jesús Ferreira Matias, Spanish
- Marcella Santos, Portuguese
- Maria Bittencourt, Portuguese
- Minh Khoa Nguyen, Vietnamese
- Muriel Gibbons, American Sign Language
- Natalia Cruz, Spanish
- Nguyen Tu, Vietnamese
- Pablo Coelho da Silva, Portuguese
- Samuel Owusu Ansah, Twi
- Stephany Morales Mena, Spanish
- Uziel Romero, Spanish
- Wyatt Pesina-Espejo, Spanish
Pathway Recipients:
- Carli Leong, Spanish
- Daniel Ong, Spanish
- Emelly Ferreira, Portuguese
- Eny Mella, Spanish
- Gabriela Alves, Portuguese & Spanish
- Hermione Garcia Lopez, Spanish
- Isabelly Costa Veloso, Portuguese
- Israel Nyarko, French
- Kenderson Dorcelus, Spanish
- Leonardo Alvarez, Spanish
- Maycol Rivera, Spanish
- Michael Ansel, Spanish
- Simon Munoz, Spanish
- Vanesa Elias Gonon, Spanish
University Park Campus School
Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction Recipients:
- Saksham Rijal, Nepali
Seal of Biliteracy Recipients:
- Chamyl Gutierrez Lora, Spanish
- Laura Cáceres Ruiz, Spanish
- Maylie Jean, Spanish
- Valeria Gonzalez Peña, Spanish
- Kawther Naji, Arabic
Pathway Recipients:
- Saksham Rijal, Hindi
Worcester Technical High School
Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction Recipients:
- Marcelo Pereira, Portuguese
Seal of Biliteracy Recipients:
- Alice Batista Aragones, Portuguese
- Alisson Granadino, Spanish
- Angelisa Pichardo, Spanish
- Angie Rivera, Spanish
- Ashley Freitas Duarte, Portuguese
- Carmen Lopez Portalatin, Spanish
- Emily Fuentes Bautista, Spanish
- Erica Ramirez Mercedes, Spanish
- Escarlet Calderon Rosa, Spanish
- Gabriela Victoria Valles Haidar, Spanish
- Grizelda Quintanilla, Spanish
- Kevilly Farias, Portuguese
- Kevin Arias Rivera, Spanish
- Melisa Gomez Escobar, Spanish
- Nathan Setaro, Italian
- Oscar Hernandez, Spanish
- Priscila Da Silva Costa, Portuguese
- Roni Victor, Portuguese
- Yaichel Garcia-Hernandez, Spanish
- Phuong Huynh, Vietnamese
Pathway Recipients:
- Audra Merkelis, Lithuanian
- Chrystian Da Silva Gomes, Portuguese
- Daniella Tamayo, Spanish
- Fernanda Hernandez, Spanish
- Genesis Lopez, Spanish
- Hennys De La Cruz, Spanish
- Jairo Chavez, Spanish
- Jaydalis Padilla, Spanish
- Juliannalis Alvarado Velez, Spanish
- Karla Maravilla, Spanish
- Kayleen Fajardo, Spanish
- Roni Victor, Spanish
