34 LEAD Public Schools Seniors Receive the Tennessee Volunteer State Seal of Biliteracy
LEAD Public Schools is proud to celebrate 34 students who earned the Tennessee Volunteer State Seal of Biliteracy during the 2025-26 school year. This award recognizes students who have demonstrated high levels of proficiency in English and at least one additional language.
The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating seniors who meet rigorous state criteria in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in multiple languages. This year’s recipients represent a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds, highlighting the diversity and global perspectives present across LEAD schools.
Students from both LEAD Academy High School and LEAD Southeast High School earned the distinction, with 30 students receiving the award in Spanish, one in Amharic, two in Somali, and one in Zomi.
At LEAD Academy High School, 13 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy Award:
- Elizabeth Binuelo Robles
- Sheila Calo-Jeronimo
- Miguel Castaneda-Castillo
- Bryan Cortez Yol
- Josephine Crocker
- Ashlee Martinez Escobar
- Brando Martinez-Rivera
- Isabella Mendez
- Kenia Ramos Salinas
- Alaiyah Ruiz
- Derrick Salvador-Rodriguez
- Esby Vileda
- Jowell Zuniga-Villegas
At LEAD Southeast High School, 20 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy Award, while one student earned the Seal of Biliteracy Honors Award:
- Fartun Abdi
- Bryan Erazo-Maldonado
- Juan Garcia-De Jesus
- Amanuel Gebeyaw,
- Rocky Godinez
- Nathaly Gomez Rodriguez, Seal of Biliteracy Honors
- Estefani Hernandez
- Kathya Hernandez Marin
- Jocelyn Hernandez-Perez
- Arafat Hirsi
- Hanz Mariano Morales
- Juan Morales-Morales
- Diego Munoz
- Sarahi Nabor-Lopez
- Suri Nunez Cantarero
- Leslie Ochoa
- Diego Roldan Ponce
- Yuritzi Sanchez
- Cristal Villegas-Delgado
- Alis Asaad
- Christina Muan Cing
This year also marked a milestone for LEAD Southeast High School, where one student, Alis Asaad, became the school’s first student to earn the Seal of Biliteracy through the AP World Language Exam.
“Congratulations to our incredible Lobos who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy! This prestigious recognition is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and commitment to mastering more than one language. This is a skill that will open doors throughout your academic and professional journey. We are so proud of everything you accomplished and can’t wait to see where your biliteracy takes you!” said Meghan Stowe, principal of LEAD Southeast High School.
The number of students earning the award continues to grow across the network. This year’s total of 34 students reflects an increase from 29 students during the 2024-25 school year, demonstrating LEAD’s continued commitment to preparing students for success in an increasingly global world.
Earning the Seal of Biliteracy not only recognizes students’ academic achievement, but also highlights the value of multilingualism in college, career, and beyond. Students who earn the seal can include the distinction on resumes, college applications, and future professional opportunities.
