The Bellarmine Beacon

Bellarmine Students Awarded the Global Seal of Biliteracy

Bellarmine is part of a global network of over 870 Jesuit schools worldwide. Our partnership with the global Jesuit network plays a crucial role in helping us fulfill our mission. At Bellarmine, fostering the development of the whole student is central to the student experience.
In 2019 a Global Taskforce was developed representing voices from all over the world. The definition of Global Citizenship was developed and as leaders in our institutions, we are building opportunities so our students can be leaders focused on Global Citizenship. 
 
Global citizens are those who continuously seek to deepen their awareness of their place and responsibility in an increasingly interconnected world, both locally and globally; those who stand in solidarity with others in the pursuit of a sustainable earth and a more human world as true companions in the mission of reconciliation and justice.

An important aspect of Global Citizenship is understanding the power of language and the ability to communicate effectively.  The Global Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by the time they graduate from high school. Our students who graduate with the honor of a Global Seal of Biliteracy embody the core principles of our mission and are better prepared to lead and serve around the world. 

22 Students Awarded the Global Seal of Biliteracy

Bellarmine is proud to announce that 22 students have been awarded the prestigious Global Seal of Biliteracy, an international language certificate that recognizes and celebrates their level of proficiency in two or more languages. 

The Global Seal of Biliteracy validates language skills and expands future opportunities for its recipients. Bellarmine students earning qualifying scores on the AP Chinese, French, and Spanish Language exams are awarded the Global Seal which serves a meaningful purpose in our increasingly diverse and interconnected world. The Global Seal of Biliteracy has been issued by employers, universities, and secondary schools in over 30 countries and five continents.

"Our students have worked hard to develop their language skills, and we are thrilled to see their efforts recognized with the Global Seal of Biliteracy," said World Language teachers Summer Shen, Ginny White, and Kathy Heiser. "This certification not only celebrates their accomplishments, but also opens doors for them in academia and the global job market."

The Global Seal of Biliteracy is more than just a certification; it is a passport to opportunity. It allows recipients to showcase their language skills to any school or employer across state lines and international borders. In today's global economy, proficiency in multiple languages has tremendous value, and employers want candidates whose skills are verifiable and comparable. We are proud that our students are now part of this global community of bilingual and multilingual individuals.

We congratulate our students on this significant achievement and look forward to seeing the opportunities that their Global Seal of Biliteracy will bring them in the future.

For more information about the Global Seal of Biliteracy, visit https://theglobalseal.com/.

2024 Global Seal of Biliteracy Recipients (bolded names are current students)

Mandarin Chinese:
David Anel

French:
Lucia Ayer 
Hope Griffin
Alice Malebranche
Julia Shimshock

Spanish:
Dylan Bianchi
Ainsley Brogan
Jimena Carreno
Alanis Colby Sanchez
Emily Deng
Elias Givens
America Hernandez
Chase Hirata
Beatrice Hunt
Nadia Kohles
Lauren Lai
Breanna McDonough
Jonah O’Callaghan
Lauren Pickles
Francesca Romana Sanna
Samantha Siu
Zoe Wetherbee
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