AMERICAN FALLS — Fifteen American Falls High School graduates from the Class of 2024 have been awarded Seals of Biliteracy, the first-ever students to receive such an honor from the school district.

According to a news release from American Falls School District 381, this award recognizes students who attain proficiency in two or more languages by the time they graduate high school. This achievement marks a milestone in the district’s efforts to fostering cultural diversity.

The students who received these awards are Isaura Uribe Rosales, Nathan Torres, Angie Oseguera Rodriguez, Leslie Castro, Gislain Angulo, Santiago Cordova, Flor Medel Fonseca, Jessica Hernandez Gaona, Damiris Ortiz Cruz, Alex Sanchez Torres, Pablo Murillo, Jaqueline Martinez, Alan Cardona Hernandez, Leslie Ramirez Carretero and Yoselin Ramirez Villa.

Each of these recipients had to go through several assessments so they could demonstrate their proficiency. Each of the students passed Idaho State University’s Spanish College-Level Examination Program, which tested reading, writing and listening.

Another assessment they had to go through was the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages. This test is a speaking test that measures their communication skills in personal, presentational and interpretive communication.

Jamie Garza, programs director of American Falls School District, said in the news release that the district is proud of these students and their accomplishment.

“This is the first year of many more to come, and we look forward to continuing to support and celebrate our students’ bilingual accomplishment,” she said in the news release.

The Seal of Biliteracy highlights the skills these students have that will serve them later in life. It also honors their hard work and achievements and promotes the importance of multilingualism.

The district expressed gratitude for Jaxon Jensen, Hailey Lusk and Spencer Christensen, who helped throughout the testing process. They also expressed gratitude for the American Falls School Board and Superintendent Randy Jensen for their support.

The district congratulated the students on their accomplishment and expressed gratitude to their parents for their support throughout the process.

American Falls School District looks forward to encouraging future students to pursue linguistics and paving the way for a more diverse future.