Taos students earn biliteracy seals on diplomas

More than 40 Taos High School students participated in tests before judges in early May to earn their Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, French and Tiwa, the traditional language of Taos Pueblo.

Verónica Zarazúa achieved the biliteracy seal in both Spanish and French. Damen Noah Lujan completed the Seal of Biliteracy in Tiwa as determined by Taos Pueblo.

According to language teacher Laura Dumond Kerr, “the students had to create a Power Point presentation on a topic of research comparing two different places where Spanish or French is spoken. Some of the topic the students examined were ecotourism, school systems, violence in communities, traditions, food, agriculture, water systems, diet and nutrition, and currency. They presented on Zoom in front of a panel of 9-12 educators, community members and administrators. We engaged the students in a conversation about their topic in Spanish or French after they presented.”

Following is a list of students who passed their exams and will have the Seal of Biliteracy placed on their high school diplomas.

These students have achieved their Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish for 2020:

Jonathan Rentería Alexis Salazar Joana Martínez Elian Galindo Ashlee Córdova Daisy Bustillos Amiree Olivas Lauralee Trujillo Amy Lewis Verónica Zarazúa Adrian Rodríguez Cassandra Ruíz Daniel Cruz Meztzli Valadez-Little Alexis Flores Angel Limas Krystah Pacheco Tristan Martínez Robert Trujillo

Kira Seckler

Max Salazar-Behrens María Bernal

Jennifer Berreuto Domínguez Cielo Rodríguez Eduardo Arreola

Evan Chilton-García Alejandro González Emily Bravo

These students received the Seal of Biliteracy in French for 2020:

Nialo Kinney Aaron Martinez Ryan Kipnis Ryan Cox James- Ryan Cox Madeline Steinberg Kelden Larsen Nicky Elliott Jordan Medina Nina Yven Veronica Zarazua