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.

#  #  #

___________________________________
Washington State Coalition for International Education
http://internationaledwa.org