MENDOTA – Mendota High School Superintendent, Dr. Denise Aughenbaugh is pleased to announce that 20 Mendota High School students have been recognized as “2023-2024 Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy and State Commendation toward Biliteracy” scholars. The prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois State Board of Education to deserving students.

MHS was one of the first of the 54 Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy participating school districts for school year 2016-2017. The program in Illinois has now expanded to include approximately 150 Illinois public high schools and their graduates who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in four domains in English, and a language other than English are eligible to earn the seal.  An official seal will be placed on the diplomas and confer official recognition on transcripts of those students who qualify.

Two honors are available – The Seal of Biliteracy and the Commendation toward Biliteracy. Available assessments include ACT or SAT scores, ACCESS (for EL students), AP Language & Composition scores, AP Language and Culture scores, Dual credit coursework, AAPPL exam. Students at MHS proved proficiency in foreign language by taking the Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Culture exam in the foreign language of Spanish. State Seal of biliteracy students attained a high level of proficiency in English and in one or more additional languages. Students also earn college credit a public colleges and universities in the state of Illinois. Bilingualism is an asset to be celebrated.

The following Mendota High School students have been named 2024 graduates with the State Seal of Biliteracy:  Noemi Arteaga, Madelyn Becker, Araceli Diaz, Olivia Eddy, Bria Frey, Janet Guzman, Ashley Hermosillo, Ava Jones, Fredy Mandujano, Brian Perez, Ana Ramirez, Natalia Salinas, Blanka Valdez, Grace Wasmer, Valerie Valdes. The State Commendation of Biliteracy graduates: Isaac Belmonte, Alex Contreras, Logan Dewey, Lilly Leifheit, Ryleigh Sondgeroth.

For more information, please visit https://www.isbe.net/sealofbiliteracy.