The MAFLA Past Presidents' Award for High School Seniors

The Past Presidents’ Awards, presented by MAFLA, honor high school seniors who have excelled in world language studies and demonstrated exceptional leadership and service. Each year, up to four awards of $500 are granted to students who have completed their world languages program and are planning to continue their language studies. In addition to academic achievement, candidates must show service or leadership within their school or community, such as through tutoring or language clubs.  Schools nominating a student must have at least one current MAFLA member on their world languages staff and this person should submit the nomination.  The nominee must also be enrolled in a high school in Massachusetts.  There should only be one nomination per school.

Criteria for the Past Presidents’ Scholarship

• Must be a senior currently enrolled in an intermediate or higher-level World Languages course.
• Must be a High Honors student in World Languages courses.
• Must demonstrate a commitment to future language study or immersion beyond high school.
• Must have completed multiple language courses exceeding the graduation requirement.
• Must have earned or attempted to earn the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, if available.
• Must have utilized their language proficiency, cultural interest, and leadership skills in service to the school or community. Examples include founding or leading a language-related club, tutoring, assisting in community integration, or conducting school tours in the studied language.

Student Candidate Written Statement

Candidates must submit a reflective statement (250 words or less, in English) detailing their personal goals and interests and how their language(s) of study connects to these aspirations. The statement should highlight the relevance of language learning to both their personal development and their engagement with the community and world.

Applicants should discuss their plans for continued language study, cultural immersion, or service, demonstrating how they intend to apply the skills gained through the school’s World Languages Program. If applicable, candidates should mention their achievement of the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy and explain how this certification serves as an asset in their academic, professional, or personal pursuits.

Submission Checklist

• Nomination Form
• Letter of endorsement from a MAFLA member, at the candidate’s school (included in the form)
• Written statement from candidate (upload to the form)

The MAFLA Board of Directors has established an awards program for high school students of world languages in schools in Massachusetts. Teachers will be mailed digital certificates to print and give at spring awards ceremonies or graduation. Awards categories are:

1. Award for Excellence: One award for excellence for each language per school.  This certificate is conferred upon the student who has demonstrated excellence (highest achievement) in the most advanced course of each language taught in each school.
2. Award for Leadership: One award per high school to a student who has distinguished themself for leadership in world language activities.

Individual certificates, signed by a member of the Board of Directors of MAFLA, will be sent for presentation to students who have been nominated for the excellence and leadership awards. The Board of Directors has established the following criteria which each award recipient’s school must meet.

1. Recipients must be students in Massachusetts.
2. Recipients of the Award for Excellence must be enrolled in the most advanced course offered in their school of the language for which they have been selected to receive the award.
3. Recipients of the Award for Leadership for world language activities may be enrolled in any high school world language course, but must demonstrate leadership in world language activities.  No more than one award per high school per year will be granted for leadership.
4. One nomination will be accepted per category. No ties please.
5. Schools participating in the awards program must have at least one current MAFLA member on their world languages staff.  Application for awards must be made through this member.
6. The deadline for request for the 2024-2025 certificates is April 15, 2025.

Please complete the form(s) below and MAFLA will send digital copies of the certificates for your Spring Awards Night. 

Excellence Nomination Form                              Leadership Nomination Form

The MAFLA Board of Directors has established an awards program for students of world languages in Massachusetts. Teachers will be mailed digital certificates to print and give at spring awards ceremonies and/or elementary or 8th grade graduations. Awards categories are:

1. Award for Excellence: One award for excellence for each language per school.  This certificate is conferred upon the student who has demonstrated excellence (highest achievement) in the exit course of the school (5th/6th or 8th grade, for example).
2. Award for Leadership: One award per school to a student who has distinguished themself for leadership in world language activities.

Individual certificates, signed by a member of the Board of Directors of MAFLA, will be sent for presentation to students who have been nominated for the excellence and leadership awards. The Board of Directors has established the following criteria which each award recipient’s school must meet.

1. Recipients must be students in Massachusetts.
2. Recipients of the Award for Excellence must be enrolled in the exit course (5th/6th or 8th grade, for example)
3. One nomination will be accepted per category. No ties please.
4. Schools participating in the awards program must have at least one current MAFLA member on their world languages staff.  Application for awards must be made through this member.
5. The deadline for request for the 2024-2025 certificates is April 15, 2025.

Please complete the form below and MAFLA will send digital copies of the certificates for your Spring Awards Night or Graduation.

Excellence Nomination Form                                    Leadership Nomination Form