Senior Sandra Ximena Duenas is the first Brighton High School student to receive the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. The award recognizes students who have attained proficiency in two or more world languages by high school graduation, one of which must be English.

The Seal of Biliteracy was passed by the New York State legislature and signed by the Governor in 2012. It was approved by the Board of Regents in 2016. Students must maintain an 85% or better in both their English and World Language courses and complete a portfolio documenting their skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in both languages.

The seal encourages students to study other languages, recognizes the value of linguistic diversity, provides employers with a method of identifying people with high levels of language skills, provides universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for attainment of high-level skills in multiple languages, prepares students with 21st century skills, and honors the multiple cultures and languages in our community.