The State Seal of Biliteracy is the most visible recognition our education system offers for students who achieve proficiency in two or more languages. It represents years of dedication, persistence, and passion. Today, the seal exists in all fifty states and the District of Columbia thanks to advocacy from countless organizations.
While the Seal of Biliteracy is widely available, not every school has adopted it. That was the case at Emma S.’s private school in Palos Verdes. At just 15 years old, Emma set out to change that—working to ensure her classmates could also celebrate their achievements in multiple languages.
Falling in Love with Language
Emma grew up bilingual, learning Spanish alongside English from birth. Though neither of her parents were native Spanish speakers, she and her mom built a “bilingual bubble” around their daily lives. They organized Spanish-speaking playgroups and playdates, and whenever possible, requested communications in Spanish. Emma took seven years of piano lessons entirely in Spanish with a Colombian instructor, went to an Argentine dentist, and learned math and art from Mexican teachers. As a baby, she had swim lessons conducted fully in Spanish—“it was literally sink or swim in those days,” she joked. “Every chance I got, I wanted to keep growing that skill and make sure I could develop it as much as I could,” Emma reflected.
Being bilingual, she explained, is more than fluency. “It’s helped me grow closer to other cultures and be able to collaborate and build bridges[…] In a world where English is the universal language, I think it’s so important to be inclusive of others”.
The Spark
Emma first heard about the Seal of Biliteracy in middle school from a family friend. When she realized her school didn’t offer it, she started asking questions. “It broke my heart a little bit,” she said, recalling how many classmates dropped language classes as soon as they fulfilled graduation requirements. She wanted to give her peers a reason to keep going.
That idea turned into a two-year journey of research, presentations, and persistence.
Navigating Bureaucracy
To launch the program, Emma met with the head of the language department, the head of the English department, and a lead school administrator. She researched and created a PowerPoint presentation and presented her case to the entire language faculty. When a few administrators wanted to make the award more “elite,” Emma argued for accessibility and sought guidance from a top school administrator and from Californians Together Strategic Advisor, Shelly Spiegel-Coleman, a champion of the Seal of Biliteracy.
“Especially for the people who were on the edge of wanting to stay in language or wanting to drop, making it more difficult would have discouraged them,” Emma explained. In the end, she succeeded in getting the approval she needed to bring the Seal of Biliteracy recognition to her school and making it accessible for all students who meet the criteria.
Building a Movement
The work didn’t stop at approval. Emma recruited friends in Spanish, French, and Chinese classes to spread the word. Teachers and department heads amplified the effort. Seven students earned the seal in its first year, and Emma expects that number to triple this year.
For Emma, the recognition is about more than résumés or college applications. “Even if they weren’t the highest in their class, students who had the passion and high level of proficiency for the language were still able to get this appreciation and recognition. I think it gave them confidence, opportunity, and an even greater passion for language”.
Leadership Lessons
Emma credits her success to lessons learned through being an Eagle Scout and leadership training: planning ahead, learning how to talk with adults, and building teams. “At first, I didn’t realize it could even happen. But you don’t know until you ask,” she reflected. Her advice for other students? Start early, find allies, and don’t be afraid to begin before you think you’re ready.
She also founded the Global Language Ambassadors, a student-led group that designs opportunities for fellow language enthusiasts. The group has organized bilingual book clubs, promoted bilingual book writing contests, and this year will launch a global language tutoring program at their middle school. Ambassadors will serve as tutors for younger students in Spanish, Chinese, and French—building programs that will leave a lasting legacy at their school.
A Lasting Impact
When her school approved the program, Emma felt both relief and joy. “The best moment was when they said it would be ready for the 2025 seniors. I was so excited to celebrate my friends as the first class to receive the award”.
Now, as she enters her senior year, Emma is proud of what her efforts mean for her school community. “This accomplishment shows how much passion I have for language learning […] and how much change I was able to make. I was able to make my lasting impact on my school, and I’m really glad it was through the Seal of Biliteracy”.
Emma’s story proves what student leadership can achieve. With vision, persistence, and a love of language and cultures, she not only earned the Seal of Biliteracy for herself—she secured it for students coming after her.