Southside students earn seal of biliteracy in record-setting 15 languages

Southside High School achieved a significant milestone by awarding the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy to 39 students, recognizing proficiency in 15 languages. Spanish led the way with 20 certified students, while Marco Castro notably earned trilingual certification in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. To qualify for the seal, students demonstrated their English proficiency through standardized tests like the ACT or PSAT, alongside a multi-hour exam assessing their skills in another language. The recognition ceremony took place on April 28, where families joined in celebrating the students' accomplishments. The honorees received official certificates and red and royal blue honor cords adorned with the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy charm.

This program, which enhances language skills and cultural awareness, is coordinated by English Language Learner teacher Melissa Bonar. The diverse languages included Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, French, and more, showcasing the school's commitment to multilingual education. The success of this program highlights the growing importance of biliteracy in the globalized world.