HHS Alum Earns Seal of Biliteracy Achievement Scholarship

Zahir’s journey speaks to the life-saving and life-shaping role of multilingualism. A speaker of four languages—Pashto, Pashai, Persian, and English—Zahir became the linguistic lifeline for his family during their emergency evacuation from Afghanistan. In refugee camps and in their new community in Michigan, Zahir served as translator, advocate, and leader, helping not only his own family but many others to navigate complex systems. His commitment to using language for the greater good continues in his tutoring, translation work, and aspirations to support his family and pursue college. His teacher, Ms. Bradner, calls him a quiet yet powerful leader, and a truly deserving candidate for this award.

For the third year, Language Testing International® (LTI) has proudly awarded the Seal of Biliteracy Achievement Scholarship to high school students who not only achieved their state Seal of Biliteracy but also demonstrated a clear and compelling understanding of what it means to be multilingual.

The 2025 theme was “Language Is an Asset.” In the selection process, we looked at how students talked about language as an asset, not just in theory, but in practice; how they talk about what it means to possess this asset, how they have used it, and how they plan to use it in the future. Their submissions offered personal insights into how multilingualism empowers them to connect across cultures, serve others, and expand their academic and professional horizons.

The students selected this year stood out for the clarity of their vision, the depth of their experiences, and their passion for using language to make a difference. From helping classmates overcome barriers to advocating for families in medical settings, their stories reflect the true power of multilingualism.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Seal of Biliteracy Achievement Scholarship. Each one exemplifies the values behind this award.