Yeiri Lopez, a Tyee High School senior and native Spanish speaker, faced the challenge of learning English head-on. She practiced every day, translating and learning new words, supported by her teachers and peers. She not only mastered English but also excelled academically. This June, she will graduate with the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy.
Yeiri’s accomplishment honors her heritage and culture and recognizes her advanced bilingual skills. She is currently enrolled in the nursing program at Puget Sound Skills Center (PSSC) and will attend Highline College in the fall to pursue a career in nursing. Yeiri aspires to use her bilingual skills to make a positive impact in the healthcare field, helping her community and supporting people in need.
In the 2023-24 school year, approximately 300 Highline students will earn the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy at graduation. This award recognizes their proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in one or more languages in addition to English.
The Seal of Biliteracy Program supports our goal of graduating students with multicultural skills that enable students to live, work and communicate across cultures. It is an integral part of our strategic plan.
This certification is not only a mark of our students’ language proficiency but also a testament to their readiness to work and communicate effectively across cultures.