Glacier High School and Montana Board of Public Education Celebrate Student Achievement in International Languages

A record 42 Seals of Biliteracy awarded across nine languages, alongside Honor Society inductions, Distinction Pathway recipients, and the Amici Linguarum Award.

For Immediate Release

KALISPELL, Mont. — Glacier High School's International Languages Department is proud to recognize outstanding student achievement in language study and global citizenship.

This year, a record 42 Seals of Biliteracy were awarded to Glacier High School students. Recipients demonstrated proficiency in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, English, German, Czech, Ukrainian, and Russian, providing a meaningful way to showcase their linguistic abilities and distinguishing them as globally competent individuals prepared for future academic and professional pursuits.

Approved by the Montana Board of Public Education in 2022, the Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who attain proficiency in two or more languages during their high school careers.

Members of the Montana Board of Public Education, Julia Maxwell and McCall Flynn, along with Flathead County Superintendent Marcia Stolfus, attended this year's ceremony to present students with a one-of-a-kind pin bearing the official state seal. Upon graduation, students' achievements will also be noted on their high school transcripts as a lasting testament to their dedication, skill, and cultural awareness.

Student Spotlight Gaia Giovannelli Italian exchange student Gaia Giovannelli earned the Montana Seal of Biliteracy in both French and Italian, demonstrating proficiency across three languages during her time at Glacier High School.

By the Numbers

Among those earning qualifying scores were 2 freshmen, 5 sophomores, 15 juniors, and 14 seniors. Notably, two seniors earned two seals, one senior earned three seals, three juniors earned two seals, and one sophomore earned two seals. Students must meet rigorous standards in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, in addition to fulfilling Montana graduation requirements, to earn the distinction.

This marks the fourth year Glacier High School has awarded the Montana Seal of Biliteracy.

Honor Society Inductions

At the annual language recognition ceremony, 47 students were inducted into the National Spanish, French, and German Honor Societies, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP), the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), and the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG). Thirty-one additional students were recognized for achievement in their fourth year of language study.

International Language Distinction Pathway

Thirty-two seniors were honored as International Language Distinction Pathway recipients for their sustained commitment to language study throughout high school. Earning this recognition allows students the opportunity to wear a light blue cord at graduation.

Outstanding Seniors

Amici Linguarum Award

Selected by the Glacier High School International Languages Department, the Amici Linguarum Award recognizes Shelley Eberhardy for her outstanding support of language learning in the Flathead Valley.

Learn More

For more information about the Montana Seal of Biliteracy, visit bpe.mt.gov/Seal-of-Biliteracy or contact Stephanie Hill at stephanie.hill@sd5.k12.mt.us.

Seal of Biliteracy Recipients

Spanish Honor Society Inductees

French Honor Society Inductees

International Language Distinction Pathway Recipients

Malia Armstrong, Natalie Aczas, Claire Bell, Quinn Berkram, Rachel Brannan, Noah Chec, Sierra Cole, Cadence Daniels, Cassidy Daniels, Anya Denmark, Andy Dillenburg, Natalie Doolan, Madhav Gautam, Elizabeth Gilchrist, Brynn Hanson, Rita Henshaw, Kaile Jensen, Marygrace Knuffke, Grace Lingle, Willow Loveless, Damon Morris, Tayvia Nelson, Porter Pitts, Isabel Presnell, Amber Ripp, Eli Sanderson Strutz, Bianca Schneider, Ilse Schulze, Piper Stoken, Rileigh Sullivan, Tyler Walter, Audrey Wilson