TAUNTON — For the first time in Taunton High School’s history, three students have achieved qualifying scores on the ALIRA (ACTFL Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment), making them eligible to earn the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy in Latin upon their graduation. Juniors Madeline Cabral and Lucian Mickelwait and senior Jessica DePina demonstrated exceptional proficiency in Latin on the exam administered on January 13.
“I am so proud of these three scholars for their outstanding dedication to their Latin studies,” said Ashley Pacheco Guilmette, World Language Curriculum Supervisor. “I also commend our Latin educator, Mrs. Jessica Ouellette, for her superb teaching, admirable curriculum, and exceptional Latin program. Seal of Biliteracy recipients earn college credits and honor the language expertise and cultural diversity in our Taunton community.”
The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy is an official designation awarded to graduating high school students who attain high levels of proficiency in English and at least one additional language. Students earn this honor by completing advanced coursework in a world language, achieving a qualifying score on a proficiency exam—such as the ALIRA—and completing 10 hours of community service related to the language.
Madeline Cabral, one of the qualifying students, shared her reasons for studying Latin. “I chose to study Latin because it seemed like an interesting language to learn. The most challenging part of the exam was how similar many of the multiple-choice options were, especially as the passages became more difficult,” she said. “I think the Seal of Biliteracy will help me stand out in college applications. It shows how dedicated I am to things that I’m passionate about.”
Lucian Mickelwait echoed the sentiment, saying, “I wanted to study Latin because I knew I wanted to go into a science field, especially biology, so knowing Latin is a great thing for that. I kept studying Latin once I realized how fun it was and how much I enjoyed the stories. My favorite part of Latin, other than the teacher, was the stories and history I learned about.”
Jessica DePina reflected on her experience with the language and the exam. “The timer was the most challenging part. The exam was easy, but the timer made it harder due to the pressure of reading under a certain time,” she explained. She added, “I think the Seal of Biliteracy will give me a better chance of getting into a good graduate school.”
Jessica Ouellette, the sole Latin teacher at Taunton High School, expressed her pride in the students. “These students have shown incredible dedication to their studies, and their success on the ALIRA exam is a testament to their hard work and the rigor of the Latin program at THS. Their achievement marks a significant milestone for our school.”
This achievement follows the success of five Class of 2024 graduates who earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and Portuguese, further showcasing the strength and diversity of the world language program at Taunton High School. The school plans to administer additional Seal of Biliteracy exams in French, Portuguese, and Spanish later this semester, as well as offer opportunities for multilingual learners and heritage language learners to qualify for the designation.
“Earning the Seal of Biliteracy provides students with opportunities to stand out in college applications, careers, and scholarships,” Pacheco Guilmette added. “Even more importantly, it proves that these students are committed to being global citizens.”
As Taunton High School continues to expand its world language programs, these students’ accomplishments reflect a growing commitment to linguistic and cultural proficiency, paving the way for future achievements in the district.