'Academic Superstars'

Patrick Camp, The Cullman Times, Ala.
·4 min read

Apr. 18—It is a bit early to say for sure, but Superintendent Shane Barnett is fairly confident that Cullman County Schools will be leading the pack for the number of students earning the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy.

The Seal of Biliteracy started through the efforts of Californians Together — a statewide advocacy coalition comprised of various civil rights and nonprofit organizations — in 2008. California officially adopted the seal in 2011.

Alabama approved its state seal through legislative action in 2022, and this year's graduates will be the first to receive the seal on their diplomas. Not every district has approved the program, but of those who have, Barnett is confident that none will have as many as the 12 students from Cullman County to receive the seal.

"We're really excited about this. I don't know this for sure, but I think we probably have more students who have earned this than any other district in Alabama," Barnett said.

To earn the seal, students must demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other world language, including American Sign Language. To do this, they must earn a score of 18 or higher on their English ACT exam and 20 or higher in reading. They must also earn proficient marks in a series of foreign language tests and graduate with at least a 2.5 GPA.

English Learner specialist with the Alabama State Department of Education, Miguelina Quinones, attended the CCBOE's April 12 meeting, to recognize students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy.

"These students are true academic superstars who promote a world where all languages are celebrated," Quinones said in Spanish.

Students receiving the seal were:

* Jonatan Diaz Pesina.

* Jaime Rios Vazquez.

* Elena Saldana Orona.

* Mahaley Gomez.

* Mildred Lemus.

* Jose Trejo-Zea.

* AB Martinez-Jimenez

* Ashley Morales-Fuentes.

* Jaquelinne Perez Rivera

* Brittany Velazquez Morales.

* Jordan Sanchez-Hernandez.

* Mariana Degollado-Ramos.

In other business the board:

— Recognized winners who represented the Cullman Area Technology Academy at the 2024 Health Occupations Students of America state leadership conference.

* Trinity Sartin — Health Career Photography (State Champion)

* Bethzy Rojas — Healthy Living (Third Place)

* Shayla Colchado-Reza — Health Career Photography (Fifth Place)

* Ariyah Adcock, Dilynn Turner, Lily Vaught and Cali Pullium — Public Health Team (Fifth Place)

* Kimberly Torres and Bethzy Rojas — Top 10 percent in Healthcare issues exam.

— Recognized Alana Bice and Katie Coleman for their second place finish at the Future Teachers of Alabama State Conference.

— Recognized the following Cold Springs FCCLA winners:

* Ellanora Slusser

* Clayton Gary

* Baylee Dye

* Coco Fox

* Savannah Bischoff

* Rebecca Baggett

* Baylee Perdue

* Aiden Freeman

* Sophia Slusser

* Josiah Johnson

— Awarded the district's E5 Exceptional Service Award to the following:

* Ed Cowger — Volunteer at the Child Development Center

* Shane McKinney — Volunteer at Vinemont Middle School

* Kevin Hale — Volunteer at Vinemont Middle School

— Approved the request from Fairview High School to pay George Redding Jr. $2,500 for extra football coaching duties.

— Approved the request from Hanceville High School to pay Levi Estes $1,500 for field/practice field maintenance during the 2024 summer.

— Approved the request from Vinemont High School to pay Hunter Cornelius $1,400 for extra work at the baseball fields.

— Approved the request from West Point Intermediate School to pay Sonia Eady and Felicia Shearrer $250 each for work performed at the Intermediate and Middle School pageants.

— Approved the request from West Point Middle School to pay Christi Hamby $250 for work performed at the WPM pageant.

— Approved the out-of-state field trip request from Holly Pond High School Concert and Jazz Band to attend Orlandofest in Orlando, Fla. on April 3, 2025.

— Approved the out-of-state field trip request from the Vinemont Elementary, Middle and High School archery teams to compete in the NASP National Tournament in Louisville, Ken. on May 8 and 9.

— Approved the out-of-state field trip request from the West Point High School Scholars Bowl team to compete in the National Championship Tournament in Reston, Vir. on June 5.

— Approved the purchase of a 12-month, $2 million CD from People's Bank at 4.9% interest.

— Approved the purchase of a 12-month, $2 million CD from Citizens Bank at 5.23% interest.

— Approved for the Cullman Area Technology Academy to sell or dispose of the following items:

* Serving table

* Mobile serving table

* Scotchman iron worker

* Hunter alignment machine

* DSP balancing machine

* Lift alignment four post

* Paint booth

* 2007 Cadillac

— Approved for the CCBOE Maintenance Department to act as general contractor on Vinemont Elementary West Wing HVAC upgrades.

— Approved a half-day professional leave for the following members to attend PR and R in Montgomery Friday, April 26:

* Connie Hilton

* Jennifer James

* Marlene Hancock

* Lynn Bradford

* Carol Cline

* Ginger Hogeland

— Announced the following kindergarten registration dates:

* Harmony — April 16

* Parkside — April 17

* Welti — April 18

* Cold Springs — April 23

* Fairview — April 24

* Good Hope Primary — April 25

* Hanceville — April 30

* Holly Pond — May 1

* Vinemont — May 2

* West Point — May 7

— Announced the following graduation times for Saturday, May 18:

* Hanceville — 10 a.m.

* Cold Springs — 12 p.m.

* Good Hope — 2 p.m.

* Holly Pond — 4 p.m.

* Fairview — 6 p.m.

— Announced the following graduation times for Sunday, May 19:

* Vinemont — 2 p.m.

* West Point — 4 p.m.