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The UMass Amherst Bilingual Hub hosted its 2026 Seal of Biliteracy Award Ceremony on Saturday, May 9 at the Carney Family Auditorium in Furcolo Hall, where nearly 200 students, families, educators and community members gathered from across the Pioneer Valley to honor the bilingual achievements of 82 high school students who have demonstrated outstanding proficiency in two or more languages. 

The ceremony featured a keynote address by Regina Galasso, director of the Edwin C. Gentzler Translation Center at UMass Amherst and associate professor of Spanish and Portuguese Studies. Galasso spoke about the power of language, translation, and multilingualism as tools for community building and social equity, inspiring students and families with her message about the importance of biliteracy in today’s world.

Awardees were recognized from five partner districts across the state. Students received their diplomas alongside recognition for either the full Seal of Biliteracy or the Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award, honoring those actively progressing toward full biliteracy. Participating districts included: Southbridge Public Schools, Lawrence Public Schools, Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools, Springfield Public Schools and Agawam Public Schools.

The celebration concluded with a reception featuring a live musical performance by students from Southbridge Public Schools dual language program.

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“This ceremony is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our students and the communities that support them,” said Marialuisa Di Stefano, director of the Bilingual Hub, an initiative housed in the College of Education supports bilingual and dual language education across Massachusetts through professional development, community partnerships and educator preparation programs. “Bilingualism and biliteracy are powerful assets and a civil right, for our students, for our region, and for our society. Events like this one remind us why the work of bilingual education matters so deeply.”

The Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition awarded to high school students who have attained proficiency in English and another language by the time of graduation. In Massachusetts, the Seal is aligned with state standards and is awarded by participating school districts to honor students' dedication to language learning and multiliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award recognizes students who are actively progressing toward full biliteracy.

The 2026 Seal of Biliteracy Award Ceremony, one of several annual events organized by the Hub to celebrate and advance bilingual achievement in the region, was made possible through the support of the Edwin C. Gentzler Translation Center at UMass Amherst, the Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies – CLACLS – and the College of Education.

Donations to support next year’s ceremony can be made via the Bilingual Hub’s MinuteFund.