Ezra’s Visions story began before he was even born.
“My brother used to attend a traditional public school, but every day he came home completely silent,” Ezra recalled. Concerned that the environment wasn’t the right fit, his parents decided to enroll his older brother in Visions’ Home School Academy.
When it was time for Ezra to start school, the choice was an easy one.
From his very first day of kindergarten through his high school graduation, Ezra has always been a Visionary. This year, he celebrated the culmination of that journey by performing a piano piece and proudly crossing the graduation stage after 12 years of learning, growth, and achievement.
As graduation approached, Ezra reached one of his proudest accomplishments: earning the California State Seal of Biliteracy in French.
The State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes graduating seniors who demonstrate proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in English and at least one additional language.
“I was really excited to receive the State Seal of Biliteracy because it marks a significant milestone in my French journey,” he shared.
Watching each of his older siblings earn their own Biliteracy Seals inspired Ezra to pursue the same goal. Along the way, his family became an important part of that journey, especially his sister, who regularly practiced speaking French with him to help strengthen his conversational skills.
When asked what advice he would share with another student who is considering earning their Biliteracy Seal, he encouraged them to work on speaking and listening by practicing your language out loud to yourself or in conversation with someone else if possible. Another tip he shared was reading books in the language you are studying.
Looking back on his time at Visions, Ezra says his favorite part was the freedom to learn on a schedule that worked for him while still making time for the activities he loved.
That balance allowed him to become captain of the Visions Esports Club, and earn a first-place finish in an esports tournament. He also enjoyed participating in the Visions community by attending field days, project and performance fairs, book fairs, and other school events.
Outside of school, Ezra is a talented pianist. He has shared his gift with the Visions community at multiple events, most notably at his commencement ceremony this June. Check out his performance below!
This fall, Ezra will begin working toward a bachelor’s degree in computer science while continuing to pursue his passion for the French language.
He plans to put his biliteracy skills to work by serving as a French tutor at Folsom Lake College, helping other students grow in the same way his family helped him throughout his own language-learning journey.
After spending his entire academic career as a Visionary, Ezra leaves Visions with more than a diploma. He carries with him the confidence to pursue his passions, the support of his family, and the skills to make a difference wherever his next chapter takes him.
