Article - June 19, 2004
shared by the Washington State Coalition for International
Education
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marcos
García-Pascua
June 15,
2004
(360) 725-6008
JOINT INITIATIVE PROMOTING SPANISH LANGUAGE, CULTURE IN WASHINGTON
OFFICIALS FROM OLYMPIA AND SPAIN HONOR TOP TEACHERS, STUDENTS
OLYMPIA – The nation of Spain and the state of Washington are honoring
teachers and students as part of a joint initiative to enhance Spanish
language and culture among Washington residents.
Twenty students have been recognized in a Spanish literary contest,
along with 18 teachers who have received full scholarships to attend
Spain’s University of Salamanca this summer.
The 20 award-winners in the sixth annual “Escribo en Español” (“I Write
in Spanish!”) literary contest were among 300 students who submitted
essays written in Spanish on the topic: “My Life in Five Years.” The
contest honored 10 native Spanish speakers and 10 Spanish language
learners.
The 18 scholarships awarded to bilingual or Spanish teachers in the
state’s public schools and community colleges will pay for the teachers to
attend the Spanish Language and Culture Course at the University of
Salamanca July 5-23. The scholarships were co-sponsored by Boeing and the
Embassy of Spain.
“This joint initiative came about because the educational leaders of
Spain and Washington state recognized the importance of multiculturalism
and realized they should not miss the opportunity to cooperate in
designing a new educational model for the new millennium,” says Dr. Terry
Bergeson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
“Spain and the State of Washington expect this partnership can
strengthen ties and bring a greater understanding and appreciation of the
two countries, as well as preparing students for the global economy,” adds
Brad Owen, Washington’s Lieutenant Governor.
Due to the increasing importance of the Spanish language in the U.S.,
OSPI began discussions with the Embassy of Spain in 1994, leading to the
signing of a memorandum of understanding in 1997, explains Dr. Bergeson.
“The various educational and cultural programs may culminate in November
with a visit by the king and queen of Spain,” adds Dr. Luis Esteban,
Vice-Consul of Spain. “Final confirmation will come later, but that is our
hope.”
The visit by the Spanish royalty will be preceded beginning Oct. 16 by
the display of over 100 major works of art and science, including the
artistic work of Bosch, Titian, El Greco, Velázquez, Murillo, Zurbarán and
Goya at the Seattle Art Museum, says Vice-consul Esteban. The collection,
titled ”Spain in the Age of Explorarion 1492 – 1819,” will include
paintings, sculpture, tapestries, armor, scientific instruments, maps and
documents.
Lt. Gov. Owen, Dr. Bergeson, Dr. Esteban and Marcos García-Pascua,
Spanish language consultant to OSPI and University of Washington, were all
on hand at the state Capitol on June 8 to honor the award recipients.
Recipients of the Boeing/Embassy of Spain scholarships to the
University of Salamanca were selected from among 40 competitive
applications. Boeing has funded more than 100 such scholarships over the
past five years. Winners this year are:
- Karlyn Angel, Battle Ground High School
- Esperanza Bullock, Bellevue Christian Jr./Sr. High School
- Jenny Díez Caldwell, American Cultural Exchange (A.C.E.), Seattle
- Beatrice Castellano, E.T.C./W.A.L
- Diana Di-tolla, International Community School
- Margaret Eaton, Shorewood High School
- Trevor Greene, Eisenhower High School
- David Hanson, Clover Park High School
- Blythe Leon, Seattle Preparatory School
- R Dan López, Orondo Middle School
- Julia Mentan, Lakeside School
- María Paly, A.C.E. American Cultural Exchange
(Tacoma)
- Ruth Rarick, North Kitsap High School
- Donna Sampson, John Rogers High School
- Christina Scheffel, East Valley Middle School
- Eric Simmons, Orcas Island High School
- Martha Tapley, Highland Middle School
- Teresita M. Tobón Velilla, Snohomish Freshman
Cpus, C.C.
The top three winners in each category of the student literacy contest
will receive a set of educational materials and books, while the other
seven nominees receive a certificate of recognition. All their essays have
been included in a formal publication.
The winners among Spanish-speaking students are, in order: Dianna
Manjarrez, A.C. Davis High School, Yakima; Darwin Román, Curtis Senior
High School, University Place; María Carrión, A.C. Davis High School,
Yakima; Angie González, Eisenhower High School, Yakima; Luis Silva,
Juanita High School, Kirkland; Erica Verdusco, A.C. Davis High School,
Yakima; Gerardo Amezola, A.C. Davis High School, Yakima; Mayra Zaragoza,
A.C. Davis High School, Yakima; David Mendoza, West Seattle High School,
Seattle; and Alicia Mckinley, Juanita High School, Kirkland.
The winners among Spanish language learners are, in order: Melissa
Tjota, Charles Wright Academy, Tacoma; Britney Maloney, Sequim High
School, Sequim; Eli Payzer, The Bush School, Seattle; Patrice Krier,
Eisenhower High School, Yakima; Ari Hertz, The Bush School, Seattle;
Ashley Merscher, Sequim High School, Sequim; Mandela Gardner, The Bush
School, Seattle; Jieun Oh, Charles Wright Academy, Tacoma; Rachel L.Wolf,
Sequim High School, Sequim; and Katie Adcox, Eisenhower High School,
Yakima.
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Washington State Coalition for International Education
http://internationaledwa.org