Las Cruces Public Schools announced on May 21 that 138 graduating seniors earned the New Mexico State Seal of Bilingualism and Biliteracy during a ceremony held at Mayfield High School on May 7. The students represented several schools, including Arrowhead Park Early College High School/Arrowhead Park Medical Academy, Centennial High School, Las Cruces High School, Mayfield High School, Organ Mountain High School, and Rio Grande Preparatory Institute.
The event highlighted the importance of bilingualism in fostering cultural understanding and communication. Graduates received medals and certificates to honor their academic achievement as well as their dedication to language learning. Special awards were given for Distinguished Bilingual Seal recipients, Outstanding Bilingual Seal recipient Alan Orellana-Cuellar from Centennial High School, and Dedication, Engagement, and Excellence Award recipient Yurem Ordoñez from Centennial High School.
This year’s honorees demonstrated proficiency in eight languages: Arabic, Bengali, French, Latin, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. Fifteen students received the district’s Distinguished Bilingual Seal Award along with gift cards sponsored by the Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation. Two students earned seals in two different languages. Laptops provided by FirstLight Federal Credit Union were awarded to both the Outstanding Seal recipient and DEE Award winner.
The ceremony featured a quote from Nelson Mandela: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” Organizers said this message reflected the spirit of empathy and connection celebrated at the event.
The New Mexico State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy is noted as a prestigious distinction added to student diplomas for those who demonstrate advanced proficiency in English plus another world or Native American tribal language through pathways set by the New Mexico Public Education Department. To qualify for this recognition upon graduation seniors must also meet all requirements for the New Mexico Diploma of Excellence.
Las Cruces Public Schools promotes a vision where all learners thrive while honoring diversity; it serves about 23,000 students across 40 schools—including collaborations with New Mexico State University—according to the official website. The district extends its services throughout Las Cruces as well as surrounding communities.
