Gresham‑Barlow awards record 46 Oregon Seal of Biliteracy recipients; dozens of student recognitions celebrated
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Summary
District administrators and principals recognized performing‑arts and athletic achievements and announced a record 46 graduating students earned the Oregon Seal of Biliteracy this year across Gresham High, Sam Barlow and Springwater Trail.
GRESHAM, Ore. — The Gresham‑Barlow School District used its June 4 board meeting to recognize students’ academic, arts and athletic achievements across the district and announced a record 46 graduating students earned the Oregon Seal of Biliteracy.
Superintendents and high‑school principals led multiple recognitions. Sam Barlow High School students were celebrated for state‑level theater awards and performances at the Oregon State Thespian Festival; students won state championships in duo dramatic acting and playwriting, and the Barlow performing arts department was chosen for a main‑stage showcase. Band, choir and soloists from both Sam Barlow and Gresham High were honored for conference and state placements, with several students receiving all‑state recognition.
District staff announced that 46 graduating students will receive the Oregon Seal of Biliteracy on their diplomas — the largest class in district history. Languages represented on the list included Dari, Farsi, Kinyarwanda, Oromo, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian. The administration said four additional students were recently added to the list after the presentation, bringing the total to 46.
Board Chair Chris Howlett and other board members presented medallions and asked students, parents and staff to gather for group photos. The board also gave a plaque and flowers to Board Director Myra Gomez in recognition of her seven years of service; Gomez announced she is leaving the board effective June 30, 2025.
Why it matters: Student recognitions highlight district academic, arts and athletic programs and provide public recognition for achievements that reflect classroom instruction and extracurricular supports. The record Seal of Biliteracy cohort demonstrates increased student access to language testing and recognition.
Next steps: The district will include medallion recipients on graduation materials and continue outreach for underclassmen whose test scores may be banked for future seals.