World Languages Day at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES has grown into a regional celebration of student achievement, highlighting everyone from Seal of Biliteracy candidates to Career and Technical Education (CTE) students.

“After Covid, our Seal of Biliteracy Consortium talked about creating a regional day,” said Pamela McHenry, Coordinator of Professional Learning at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES. “Our teachers wanted this to be a big day of celebration. Students put in months of hard work and pass their assessments to prepare for their presentations to earn their Seal of Biliteracy.”

This was the fourth year that Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES hosted World Languages Day. On Wednesday, April 23rd, 60 students from eight school districts- Auburn, Cato-Meridian, Jordan-Elbridge, Moravia, Port Byron, Southern Cayuga, Union Springs, and Weedsport- visited the main campus and presented on a topic in their chosen world language. Some presentations included: “American v. Mexican Law Systems” by Evan Moore of Jordan-Elbridge (Spanish), “Impact Cultural de la Musique” by Jack Hopkins of Weedsport (French), and “The Effects of Homelessness in Italy and America” by Skyler Bishuk of Auburn (Italian).

Cato-Meridian Junior-Senior High School senior Gennavive Kerr said she felt confident after presenting on a comparison of 2000’s pop music between USA and Spain.

“I think it’s really helpful to practice a lot because then you don’t even really have to think about it,” she said. “I feel like I can use these skills in the real world now.”

Students spoke in front of panelists, many of whom are teachers or community members who fluently speak the language. Oleana Abramova, a citizen of Ukraine who now resides in Auburn, served as a panelist this year and evaluated a student who was presenting in Ukrainian. She enjoys working with children and says that seeing students learn multiple languages is “beautiful.”

“When students speak in two, three, even five languages, it’s very good for them,” she said. “I am very happy to do this and I hope to work more with BOCES.”

Although every student had to present in front of panelists, they had the choice of having an audience. Students who were comfortable with a large audience presented in a conference room, while those who preferred a smaller audience set up in classrooms. While visitors made their way between rooms throughout the day, they saw what made World Languages Day so special: The CTE students.

“The students elevate the day,” McHenry said.

Visitors were greeted by Criminal Justice students, who gave directions and worked as security during the day, ensuring small audiences were capped at 15 people and that nobody entered the room in the middle of a presentation. Shortly after arriving, Computer Systems and Networking Administration students captured a group photo with a drone, bringing the day to new heights.

For some CTE students, preparations for World Languages Day began weeks in advance. Culinary Arts students dished up a lunch that featured entrees inspired by the different languages, such as chicken cordon bleu and stromboli. Exploration in Food Service and Hospitality students prepared a whopping 800 desserts, from Polish chrusciki to Spanish cakes. Plant, Animal and Life Sciences students made floral arrangements that served as centerpieces on top of tables. Graphic Design & New Media (GDNM) students oversaw the production of event invitations and programs, projects that required attention to detail. Between switching district logos, adjusting times and student names, the process was tedious at times, but students were thrilled to see their work on display.

“Something I’m working on is actually going out there, people are seeing it and I’m proud of it,” said GDNM student Isabel Burgman, a senior at Moravia High School.

Burgman and GDNM classmate Isaac Nielens, a senior at Dana L. West High School, photographed and videotaped World Languages Day. They collected footage of presentations and interviewed students, staff and administrators, which they will compile into a short video to summarize the day.

From the students who are presenting to those who are helping behind the scenes, World Languages Day is a celebration of success in all aspects.

“I like the sense of community,” Nielens said. “At the end of the day, we all have things that unite us, especially when it comes to languages.”

“It’s a fun time, kind of like a bonding experience,” Kerr said. “And the food is great!”