Harvard Community Unit School District 50 (CUSD 50) is proud to announce that Harvard Junior High 8th grade student Isabella Lazaro was recognized as the middle school first-place award winner in the National Association for Bilingual Education’s (NABE) 2023 Bilingual Student Essay Competition. Chosen out of over 400 other applicants, Lazaro will receive a $500 reward, a NABE certificate, and the NABE Shining Star Trophy.
In her essay, Lazaro explains how being bilingual strengthens the connection between all generations in her family. “My inspiration for writing the essay was mainly my family and how being bilingual helps me maintain my Mexican roots,” said Lazaro.
As the first generation to be born in the United States, her grandmother was the first to teach her Spanish, and now, Lazaro is the one teaching her grandmother English. “My family was super excited when my mom got the call and she called uncles and aunts about it.”
“Bella, like so many of the scholars at CUSD 50, is realizing today more than ever how important bilingualism or multilingualism is in today's world,” said Amber Bowgren, CUSD 50 Director of Language and Cultural Education. “She encapsulated in her NABE student essay what our mission and vision is in Harvard's Dual Language Program and we couldn't be more proud of her!”
Lazaro will present her award-winning essay to attendees during the NABE 2023 Awards Luncheon on February 24, 2023 at the Oregon Convention Center. NABE is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to representing and advocating for bilingual and multilingual students, and bilingual and dual language educators. WATCH ISABELLA'S FEATURE ON WREX.