Starpoint honors students with New York State Seal of Biliteracy; student ex officio reflects on senior year

Starpoint Central School District recognized students who earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy and heard a student ex officio report from Megan Baruvi.

French teacher Suzanne Staskowitz and Spanish teacher Jennifer Yates presented the Seal of Biliteracy awards, explaining the multi-year process that includes a research paper, an oral presentation in the language of study and an English presentation to a panel of teachers. "Receiving this distinguished award is a testament to the students' English and foreign language skills as well as their willingness to take on a significant workload," Staskowitz said.

Teachers named seven French recipients and 17 Spanish recipients for the class of 2025; French honorees included Chloe Cooney, Brianna Grisbeck and Vincent Kankalinski, and Spanish honorees included Tyler Baker, Meadow Barubi and Ryan Caro, among others. The World Language department said this was the fifth year the district has offered the seal and that the Spanish candidate pool was larger than in previous years.

Student ex officio Megan Baruvi spoke to the board about senior activities, praising the yearbook club and class advisers. "Firstly, I'd like to congratulate the class of 2025 and more specifically the yearbook club," Baruvi said, noting the yearbook team's year‑round work. She also thanked advisers Mrs. Ferracino and Mrs. Reygdos for their mentorship and welcomed incoming student ex officio Fiona Innes.

Board members congratulated the honored students and the student representative, and encouraged community support for language programs and student activities.