On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, Marina Edgar and Anthalina Elson were recognized for their accomplishments as bilingual speakers in a ceremony for students receiving the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy. Springdale Public Schools leads the state of Arkansas with 1,070 of the 3,309 students recognized for the achievement stemming from Springdale Schools since the seal was officially endorsed by the Arkansas Department of Education in 2018.

This year 56 students demonstrated biliteracy in English and in another language — 2 in Marshallese, 2 in Chinese, 3 in French and Spanish, and 49 in Spanish. Students had to score proficient or better in English when taking the ACT, ACT Aspire or ELPA to earn the recognition, Martinez said. For the secondary language, students had to pass the reading, writing, listening and speaking portions of the Spanish, Marshallese or Chinese language test. Students received a certificate and medal at the ceremony.

Springdale High School also awarded the seal of biliteracy to several students for Marshallese and English: Mea Abija, Rojien DeBrum, Chapel Capelle, Jabyokwe Ketwan, Dannyea Mea.

The Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy is approved by the Arkansas Department of Education, the Arkansas Foreign Language Teachers Association and Arkansas Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, she said. Springdale High School will feature its Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy Presentation Ceremony at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11 at the SHS Performing arts Center. Don Tyson School of Innovation’s ceremony will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18 in the DTSOI Performing Arts Center.

Jeramman n̄an Marina im Anthelina!!