Twenty-seven Pine Bush students earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy on June 3. Family and friends, teachers and administrators celebrated their achievement at a recognition ceremony.

This is the largest number of students to earn the seal since Pine Bush High School started offering it.

 

Kristin Raucci, the district’s world language chairperson and Seal of Biliteracy coordinator, reminded the students that language is communication. It allows us to share our essence with other human beings and opens the door to new experiences.

She told those in attendance just how much work is involved for the students pursuing the Seal of Biliteracy and presented the timeline, starting last September with presentations to all Spanish 4 and 5 classes, building their portfolios, meeting with teachers, creating and practicing their presentations, prepping for questions and then finally making their presentations in April.

“It takes a great deal of time and commitment,” Ms. Raucci said.

While most students earn the Seal of Biliteracy for Spanish, one student also earned the seal for Mandarin and another for Tagalog.

 

The intent of the Seal of Biliteracy

The intent of the New York State Seal of Biliteracy is to encourage the study of languages, prepare students with 21st century skills, recognize the value of foreign and native language instruction in schools and affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.

Earning the seal takes intense study and presentation skills. The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who have attained a high level of proficiency in the three standards/modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, in one or more languages, in addition to English. The criteria to be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy is based on those established by the Board of Regents.

 

 

Thank you to Ms. Raucci, who is retiring after 29 years of teaching here in Pine Bush, and the entire Seal of Biliteracy Committee – Daniel Edwards, Roselia Arellano-Sandoval, Cindy Rivera-Ortiz and Kelly Cooke – for providing the guidance and opportunity for our students to pursue and achieve this academic milestone.

 

2026 NYSSB Recipients

• Peter Agro
• Jhariel Aracena
• Melody Barrow
• Emily Beaulieu
• Evana Beltran
• Shelby Cheng (Spanish and Mandarin)
• Katie Cragan
• Kate Doti
• Ava Elliott
• Nico Fermanian
• Yamireth Garcia-Murguia
• Addyson Honahan
• Sophia Huang
• Imie Magdua (Tagalog)
• Alyssa Magsamen
• Leah Meberg
• Isabela Moreno Martinez
• Mahek Multani
• Lismar Rios
• Christopher Rojas Fabra
• Benjamin Somerville
• Sofia Stefania Stangoni
• Roscoe Sudol
• Julia Tanner
• Ethan Vasquez
• Anneliese Vitale
• Maria Zuniga