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Henry achieved a Seal of Biliteracy with his score on the AP Spanish Language & Culture exam in May 2021. He was the treasurer of the Shepherd Hill Class of 2021 and he is currently a student at Harvard College. Read his testimonials below and check out his videos to hear from him in Spanish!
What language(s) other than English do you speak? What is your experience with the language(s)?
What language(s) other than English do you speak? What is your experience with the language(s)?
I am bilingual with Spanish; I took Spanish classes for six years, starting in my seventh-grade year and ending with AP Spanish in high school.
In your own words, why is it valuable to learn another language?
In your own words, why is it valuable to learn another language?
Learning a language is one small step in achieving unison as a global citizen in the greater community around us. Though it can be challenging to see in our epistemic structure of Dudley-Charlton, there remains a wide array of cultures, people, and identities that revolve around the language and culture you learn in school. Thus, not only does learning a language expand the essence of ourselves, but it allows us to connect with those around the globe, ultimately building our fundamental human tenets of empathy, compassion, and advocacy.
Do you have any advice for students who are studying another language or for students who might be interested in taking the Seal of Biliteracy assessments in the future?
Do you have any advice for students who are studying another language or for students who might be interested in taking the Seal of Biliteracy assessments in the future?
Definitely, take the Seal of Biliteracy exam. The opportunity to add the accomplishment to your transcript and resumé is phenomenal, credible, and glowing. The monetary commitment is minimal, and the exam consists of four parts, so it is not overly arduous to sit through. Even better, you can retake certain sections, so do not be afraid of failure!
What are you planning to do after graduation, and are you planning to use (or advance) your language abilities while doing it? How?
What are you planning to do after graduation, and are you planning to use (or advance) your language abilities while doing it? How?
I am attending Harvard College, and I plan to study applied mathematics with a specialty in economics. However, utilizing Spanish is an enduring facet of my life that I will continue to turn to, regardless of my path of study or interest. Already, I encountered a plethora of situations where knowing Spanish is valuable: helping a man at a grocery store who does not know English, picking out lines from Latino songs, and reading signage around Boston. In the future, I am sure I will continue to encounter even more!
Henry Testimonial.mp4Video transcription in English:
Video transcription in English:
Hello, everyone! My name is "Enrique" (Henry) and I am a freshman at Harvard College. At Shepherd Hill, and in my experience at Dudley-Charlton schools, I have taken six years of Spanish class. I started in seventh grade and I finished in twelfth grade, with AP Spanish class.
In real life, it is very important to study another language at school, or in your free time.
One time, I helped a man at a grocery store because he couldn't speak English and he didn't know the word "pepino" in English, but with my Spanish experience, I can help him, and I know the correct vegetable - it's a cucumber!
After Shepherd Hill, I am studying at Harvard, in mathematics and economics.
In the future, I will use Spanish, and it's a very important part of my life.
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