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Students can receive this distinction through a combination of coursework in English and a World Language, but all candidates must complete a major research project and participate in an interview conducted in their target language. These presentations typically last 10–20 minutes, and are followed by a 10-minute question-and-answer session with a panel of evaluators fluent in the language. This year, topics ranged from Colombian culture and Frida Kahlo to birds and music. 

In addition to the 19 recipients, 9 underclassmen also participated in presentations and were successful in banking points toward their Seals of Biliteracy when they graduate. This is a record high for RVHS. World Language teacher and Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator Victoria Robertson shared her excitement around the growing program. “There is a buzz among the underclassmen wanting to get their seals, and it's great to see them set goals early and follow through with them by dedicating themselves to becoming proficient in multiple languages,” she said. 

Students begin the program by submitting an application in the fall, and are assigned a mentor, who they meet with every other week to work on research. Throughout the year, the students produce writing samples, and practice for their presentation and interview, which takes place in April. 

The Seal of Biliteracy Committee at RVHS is also there to support the students throughout this learning experience. The committee is made up of Robertson, World Language teacher Patricia Abi-Hassan, English teacher Robyn McDonough, School Counselor Alison Klein, Director of Curriculum Natalie Harjes, Library Media Specialist Tara Thibault-Edmonds, ENL teacher Rebecca Horwitz, and community member Jim Sullivan. 

Robertson remarked, “It is incredibly rewarding to witness the spectacular work these students produce and see how their years of hard work to acquire languages pay off. The benefits of multilingualism are innumerable, and it's really nice to see that it is something that RVHS encourages and supports through this program.” 

The students receiving the Seal of Biliteracy this year are: Sophia Bollin (Spanish), Carlo Bueti (Spanish), Kelly Casas (Spanish), Grace Curran (Spanish), Addyson Eck (Spanish), Kendell Erlwein (Spanish), Freja Ermer (Spanish), Stori Gallicchio (Spanish), Ryan Gillis (Spanish), Vivian Gonzales (Spanish), Halle Meoli (Spanish), Miles Oullette (French), Flora Parker-Myers (Spanish), Clara Samko (Czech), Lauren Schoonmaker (Spanish), Millina Tully (Spanish), Juliana Turner (Spanish), Gwen Tuscanes (Spanish), and Julissa Vizcaino (Spanish). 

*Pictured above are Rondout Valley High School students who participated in the 2025 New York State Seal of Biliteracy program (not all pictured). This year, 19 seniors earned the esteemed designation and 9 underclassmen successfully banked points toward their Seals when they graduate.*