Congratulations to Biron Pierre, a New York State Association For Bilingual Education State, NYSABE Essay Contest 2nd Place Winner (Grades 9-12)! As an award recipient, Pierre will receive a medal as well as a monetary prize and a special invitation for him and his guests to attend the NYSABE 46th annual conference luncheon in Syracuse, New York.
Pierre is a Junior at Westbury Union Free High School on Long Island. He has a unique appreciation of other cultures which stems from his Haitian background and is proud to represent his heritage. Pierre has taken French classes for several years and is currently in French 4. French is one of the languages spoken in Haiti in addition to Haitian Creole.
Beyond academics, Pierre plays a variety of sports, including wrestling, track and field, and football, depending on the time of year. He was also a member of the WHS Building Assets Reducing Risks program (BARR), an initiative focused on fostering school connectivity and increasing academic performance. Pierre currently engages in the 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) after school program, a grant-based collaboration with Nassau Community College. This program offers an array of after school activities, two of which Pierre participates in: French Academic Support and World Cultures, both taught by French teacher Catherine Singleton. Emphasizing the significance of bilingual education, Pierre notes,“Bilingual Education is important because it helps you communicate with people of other cultures and make a connection with them.” His achievement not only showcases his dedication to bilingual education but also highlights the importance of embracing cultural diversity within the school community.
