Berkshire senior Ryan Kessinger received the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy, which is given by the state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by the time of high school graduation...
Senior Receives Biliteracy Award
Berkshire senior Ryan Kessinger received the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy, which is given by the state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by the time of high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills attained by students and serves as evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices.
Ryan was awarded the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy award by fulfilling the state’s rigorous requirements for proficiency in both English and Spanish. When asked what receiving the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy meant to him, Ryan responded that gaining biliteracy gives him the confidence to connect and communicate on a much deeper level to a larger, diverse group of people, which would have been impossible before. Ryan stated that he can share and experience his knowledge and culture in a way that is very meaningful to him.
Through biliteracy, Ryan said that he possesses the ability to communicate through a diversity of languages, which will better prepare him for his career path in international business.
“I think that knowing more than one language is important because the knowledge and experience that can now be tapped into is an invaluable resource,” Ryan said. “The most difficult part of obtaining the Biliteracy Seal is the speaking (Spanish) portion on the AP Test. You are required to respond in real-time with little preparation. In order to do well in this part and on the test in general, it really comes down to continued use and practice of the language and a desire to learn it.”
Ryan plans to continue to study Spanish with his major study in international business when he attends college next year.
Badger Lab Backpack Program
The Badger Lab students of the Berkshire Local Schools are always on the move, looking to help the community in various ways as productive and contributing members. One such cause is the Badger Lab Backpack initiative aimed at helping students and families who may face hunger over the weekend.
The Badger Lab Backpack program is designed to reduce the 68 hours of hunger that potentially impact students from lunchtime on Fridays at school until Monday morning breakfast. Students and families identified as those in need are provided with shelf-stable food items when they leave for the weekend. Badger Lab students, directed by special education coordinator Ashley Brzozowski, have partnered with the Cleveland Food Bank, which supplies food, approximately 16 cases on a regular basis, that is then stuffed according to need into backpacks and discreetly distributed on Fridays. Students then take home the backpacks, ensuring they have essential supplies for the weekend. The compassion and dedication of the Badger Lab students make a meaningful difference in the lives of their peers and community members.
