Glacier High School graduates receive the Montana Seal of Biliteracy

Twenty recent Glacier High School graduates received the Montana Gold Seal of Biliteracy in their senior year, in recognition of their proficiency in two or more languages.

Recipients received gold diploma seals in Spanish, French, German and American Sign Language. Recipient Abby Sneeden received two seals in French and Spanish and was honored at the International Languages ​​Recognition ceremony in April by receiving pins with the official seal of the Montana Board of Public Education.

French Seal recipients also include Ethan Grant, Quindy Gronley, Tyla Nelson, Hunter Snyder

Spanish seal recipients include Madeline Bondy, Sophia Bourriague, Emma Chute Teigen, Sarah Downs, Ella Farrell, Alex Hudson, Julia Hagemeier, Ella Halliburton, Blake Lindemann, Katrina Preston, Van Scholten, Claire Schwaller, Haven Speer and Elise Strobel.

Sage Piercy received the American Sign Language seal.

This is the second year that Glacier has recognized students with the state seals, which were approved by the Montana Board of Education in 2021. Last year, 17 seniors received seals.

During the 2023-2024 school year, 85 sophomores, juniors and seniors took exams in English, French, Spanish, Vietnamese and German in their quest for the seal. To qualify, students must achieve intermediate to intermediate proficiency in writing, speaking, reading and listening, in addition to meeting state graduation requirements.

Students can take the exam in the two languages ​​currently offered at Glacier, or in a language in which they can demonstrate proficiency, such as a language spoken at home.

“Being able to communicate in more than one language is crucial to the success of our students in our increasingly globalized world. While their awards recognize fluency in two or more languages, they also signify a high school graduate who is aware of and understands the wider world and their place in it,” said Stephanie Hill, French teacher and international language activities coordinator.