Class of 2026 earns record number of Oregon State Seals of Biliteracy

The Class of 2026 is making history in our district. This year, 39 seniors have earned the Oregon Seal of Biliteracy. This is the largest number of students to earn the seal in a single graduating class in our district's history. 26 students earned the award by showing proficiency in English and Spanish, and 13 earned it for Ichishkin and English.

The state school board created this award to recognize and value the native languages our students speak and bring to their academics, value language programs in schools, and to encourage students in the study of languages. Students can earn the Seal of Biliteracy by meeting all of their school's graduation requirements, and by demonstrating high proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in two or more languages. Proficiency in tribal languages may be validated by a designated representative approved by the federally recognized Tribal Nation. 

Language is often a tie to their family's history, culture, and community. Behind the record number of 39 students are individual stories. Four seniors shared what earning the Seal means to them, why they pursued it, and what their future holds for them following graduation. 

Why Language Matters

Ana Olivares is the daughter to immigrants from Mexico. She grew up learning and speaking Spanish. She saw how hard it was for her mom to learn English, and thought it was important for her to do everything she could to understand both languages well. Another reason why she wanted to earn the Seal of Biliteracy is to help her in the future. She aims to become a lawyer and wants people to feel comfortable speaking in Spanish with her if that is their first language. 

"I want them to feel comfortable to tell me their problems or just feel comfortable and not have to feel like they have to like think harder or manipulate their words to try to understand and try to explain their their thought process," she said. Olivares remembers going with her mom to appointments to serve as a translator when she was younger. Seeing those difficulties up close and personal was eye-opening for her and a humbling experience.

"I've gone with my mom to translate for her, and I've seen what it's like to not understand the legal system, especially since in the country you've never been before. In a language, you don't speak. It's really difficult to understand," she said. 

This motivated Ana to take the test and earn the Seal. That way she can demonstrate to anyone that she understands both languages at a high level. 

RedSky Grant Waheneka earned his Seal of Biliteracy through Ichishkin and English. Ichishkin is one of the three recognized languages by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. 

For him, his motivation and inspiration also came from his family, specifically his grandfather. 

"He was the chairman of Culture & Heritage for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. He, alongside a handful of others, rehabilitated the language so I could learn it. Since he was my grandpa, I thought I should carry on his legacy."

RedSky has been in some form of a Native Language class since he was around six years old. He hopes earning the Seal will allow him to one day become a Native Language teacher. 

Mila Adams is another student earning the Seal of Biliteracy after showing proficiency in both Ichishkin and English. Her motivation for earning the seal is to now have the opportunity to demonstrate, on paper, that she is proficient in both languages.

"Not many people get the opportunity to receive it for Ichishkin and to say that I'm fluent on paper was crucial," she said.

She earns the seal after taking Ichishkin classes since she was six years old. Another benefit to earning the seal is it exempts these students from needing to take a foreign language class in college. Many universities accept it to fulfill both basic admission and college graduation requirements. 

Orion Reynoso is another senior who earned the Seal of Biliteracy this year. He earned it for English and Spanish. Spanish is his parent's first language which has allowed him to hear it and learn it throughout his life. A  big push for him to earn the Seal of Biliteracy was to demonstrate to himself and his family how much Spanish he really knew. 

"Not just household Spanish, I wanted to see how proficient I was in it. My parent's always pushed me to take it too. It is a good honor to have," he said. 

Earning the seal has improved his confidence in speaking Spanish and has left him with a level of gratification. 

For these students, earning the Seal of Biliteracy was about more than checking a box. It was about honoring where they come from, improving connections with family and others, and recognizing the importance of being bilingual and biliterate. As they prepare to take the next step in their lives following high school, these seniors recognize that being bilingual is a strength they will carry with them long after graduation. 

Ana will attend the University of Oregon in the Fall and plans on studying Political Science and either Psychology or Sociology. Her plan is to enter the legal world and specialize in either Criminal Defense or Immigration law. 

RedSky Waheneka is still weighing his options for college but shared he plans on attending either Southern Oregon University or Western Oregon University. He plans on studying accounting. 

Mila Adams plans on receiving an associates in Communication Studies and a Bachelor's in American Indigenous Studies. She plans on attending Haskall Indian Nations University in Kansas, or Mt. Hood Community College. Her plan after college is to then come back to Central Oregon and look into Tribal Law or becoming a paralegal. 

Orion Reynoso is also planning on attending the University of Oregon where he will major in Biology in the pursuit of becoming a Sports Physician. After receiving his Bachelors, he plans on attending medical school.

These four students, along with the rest of the Class of 2026, will officially graduate from Madras High School on Saturday, June 6. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and to the record amount of graduates who've earned their Seal of Biliteracy!