Hall High School’s Spanish Department recognized students this year for demonstrating proficiency in Spanish through two state and national certification programs.

Twenty-three students at the Spring Valley school earned the Commendation Towards Biliteracy, nine qualified for the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, and 13 earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy. Some students qualified for multiple credentials.

Students in Spanish 4 and interested seniors took standardized tests evaluating their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in Spanish.

The State Seal of Biliteracy qualifies students for two years of foreign language course credit at Illinois public colleges and universities, adds credentials to resumes, and can increase job opportunities. The Global Seal of Biliteracy offers the same benefits but is recognized nationally rather than only in Illinois.

The Commendation Towards Biliteracy recognizes students who have demonstrated progress toward high proficiency in Spanish.

State Seal recipients are: Antonio Aldana, Sandro Aldana, Katelee Barriga, Grabiel Cano-Guzman, Evelyn Castelan, Fidel Payan, Juan Santiago, Luis Villa, and Natalia Zamora.

Global Seal recipients are: Antonio Aldana, Sandro Aldana, Katelee Barriga, Grabiel Cano-Guzman, Joseph Caracheo, Evelyn Castelan, Braden Curran, Ava Diaz, Fidel Payan, Juan Santiago, Ella Sartain, Luis Villa, and Natalia Zamora.

Commendation recipients are: Chase Burkart, Joseph Caracheo, Maya Cohrs, Braden Curran, Jack Curran, Ava Diaz, Katharine Doll, Clayton Fusinetti, Alexis Garncarz, Chris Hollenbeck, Ulises Hurtado, Marco Lopez, Sydney Mautino, Emma McCook, Aubrey Merkel, Charlie Pellegrini, Aiden Redcliff, Alex Robles, Haven Rossi, Ella Sartain, Sydnie Smith, Ava Talbot, and Gabe Wamhoff.

Spanish Department teachers Katie Lawrence and Mary Donovan coordinated the program.