A new milestone has been reached: The number of HPS students who have earned a Seal of Biliteracy now totals 117, compared to 95 last year.
This year, 16 juniors and 15 seniors from Holyoke High School’s North and Dean campuses earned a seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish.
All 15 senior honorees were celebrated on Monday, May 18, during a recognition event at City Hall, where they were joined by their families and members of the HPS community. Students who passed the test both this year and last year were celebrated.
“At a time when language is too often seen as a barrier, you have shown us it is a bridge,” HPS Multilingual Education Director Jennifer Albury said to the students assembled for the celebration. “A bridge between cultures, between generations, between communities. You have embraced the hard work of reading, writing, speaking, and thinking in two or more languages. You have proven what research confirms: Bilingualism strengthens the brain—but even more importantly, it deepens our humanity.”
The Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy was established by the commonwealth in November 2017 to recognize high school students who are proficient in English and at least one other language. This seal is considered a statement of accomplishment and an indication of a student’s readiness for careers and college. In all, eight community colleges and five universities in Massachusetts recognize and award credit to students who have earned a Seal of Biliteracy for achieving high-level language skills.
This year’s honorees from the HPS Class of 2026 include:
Alani Bermudez, HHS North
Tianilka Ortiz, HHS North
Mariely Ramos, Opportunity Academy
Jamieliz Rodriguez-Reyes, Dean Tech
Steven Santiago, HHS North
Eriel Suarez Baez, Dean Tech
Members of the HPS Class of 2026 who earned the seal last year as juniors include:
Jadiel Abreu Molina, HHS North
Jasiel Abreu Molina, HHS North
Franchesly Almonte, HHS Northh
Kricia Alvarez Rosa, Dean Tech
Paola Berrios Martinez, Dean Tech
Vicssel Colon, HHS North
Genesis Lopez Green, Dean Tech
Eimy Ortiz Narvaez, HHS North
Judeilly Polanco, HHS North
This year’s honorees from the HPS Class of 2027 include:
Kayliahni Aldoy, HHS North
Grace Bechard, HHS North
Kelcy Brunelle, HHS North
Alondra Colon Arce, HHS North
Diego Gonzalez, Dean Tech
Adrian Gutierrez-Martinez, HHS North
Roxangely Maldonado, Dean Tech
Egla Membreno, HHS North
Jamieliz Navarro, Dean Tech
Angeliz Rodriguez, HHS North
Yiedy Rodriguez, HHHS North
Ismariel Nicole Ruiz Rivera, Dean Tech
Shaylee Ruiz, Dean Tech
Nemesis Torres, Dean Tech
Alaina Vargas, HHS North
Joerised Vega, Dean Tech