Uniondale High School senior Katya Saldana Romo and 70 others recently received the New York State Seal of Biliteracy, a testament to her academic excellence and multilingualism. But what set her apart? She used potatoes.
Saldana Romo said prospective students had to submit a presentation and an essay in English and another language. Her project focused on the gastronomy of potatoes in Peru, her home country.
“Her project was phenomenal,” Blanca Torres, world language lead teacher at Uniondale High School said. “She even brought us potatoes.”
Torres, who has led the school’s Seal of Biliteracy initiative for almost ten years, praised Saldana-Romo’s presentation and academic determination.
“She excelled, and you can tell that she knows what she wants.”
Saldana Romo, was honored on June 18 with a certificate and graduation cord. The ceremony was a culturally enriched celebration with music, dancing, and a multilingual message delivered in Spanish, English, French, and Haitian Creole.
The award is a stamp of recognition for students proficient in English and at least one other language.
During her time in high school, Saldana Romo has been a member of the Art, Science, Social Studies, and National Honor Societies, as well as the mural art club and Latina Mentoring Initiative. She plans to return next year as a mentor.
“I told myself, I don’t want to go to college. There’s no reason for me to go to college, I’m not going to be able to get a job after.”
Post graduation, Saldana Romo will be continuing her studies at New York University, pursuing a career in elementary special education on a full scholarship, a feat she never believed was possible.
After watching her younger brother struggle with speech delays and later battle cancer at the age of six, Saldana Romo also saw the incredible patience and compassion of his teachers — qualities that inspired her. Their dedication left a lasting impression and helped shape her future ambitions.
“I feel like it’s a way to give back to my brother”, she said.
Saldana Romo experienced anxiety and isolation after years of being an English as a New Language xsstudent, feelings she eventually overcame as she stepped into her confidence.
She credits her English teacher, Desiree Gascott, for providing her with the support she needed.
“I struggled a lot with social anxiety, so she (Gascott) really, pushed me to push myself more and always appreciate myself.”
The NYU freshman reflects on her evolution from ninth grade to senior year and is proud of her academic and personal accomplishments. Saldana Romo currently holds a 97 grade point average and ranks among the top 25 students in her class. She also expressed pride in the community she is helping to build.
“For my eighteenth birthday party, I had like 10 people at my house, which sounds crazy because for my 16th birthday party, I only had one friend who came over.”
As she closes this chapter, Saldana Romo harkens back on a high school experience marked by overcoming challenges, celebrating culture, inclusion, and pride.
“My senior year, I feel like it was my best year,” she said.
