In a momentous celebration blending academic excellence with civic pride, ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฒ and, for the first time, the ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฒ. The ceremony, held June 18 at the John T. Gregorio Recreation Center, marked a historic milestone for the district.
The event, hosted by the districtโs ๐ ๐๐น๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐, brought together city officials, business leaders, educators, families, and staff from across the district. The evening honored not just a record number of recipients, but a groundbreaking achievement: ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฒ, making this the largest cohort in Lindenโs history to do so.
๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden, who presented official proclamations to the honorees, said:
โWhen I learned of this incredible achievement, I knew it warranted a citywide celebration. Tonight, we honor your dedication, your heritage, and your future potential. Language is power, and each of you has shown just how powerful you truly are.โ
โThe New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other world language,โ explained ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ง, ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ. โBut some of our students went even further, earning the Seal of Biliteracy in not just one, but two additional world languages.โ
โIn todayโs interconnected world, the Global Seal of Biliteracy opens even more doorsโacademic, professional, and cultural, for our students,โ she added. โThis recognition becomes a permanent part of their high school transcript and sends a powerful message to colleges and employers: these students are prepared to thrive and lead in a global society.โ
๐ ๐ ๐๐น๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ ๐ถ๐น๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ
The 98 honorees demonstrated proficiency in English and one or more of the following languages: Spanish (65), French (8), Haitian Creole (9), Polish (5), Ukrainian (3), Portuguese (2), Russian (1), and others who studied Italian and Arabic.
โThese students didnโt just pass an assessment,โ said Orelien. โThey showed us what it means to be culturally aware, globally minded, and intellectually prepared for a future without borders.โ
โWe are one of the few districts in New Jersey offering the Global Seal,โ Director Orelien added. โBecause our mission isnโt just to graduate studentsโwe want to launch global citizens.โ
Civic Leaders Applaud Student Success
Joining Mayor Armstead in presenting the proclamations were Council President Michele Yamakaitis and 2nd Ward Councilman Barry E. Javick, who applauded the students for their discipline, determination, and ability to connect across cultures.