On May 7th, 2026 the Ballet Folklórico Juvenil de Portales held our first annual Ballet Folklórico Performance and Dual Language Awards Ceremony at Lindsey Steiner Elementary. We held two performances. The morning for the 5th and 6th grade students and the afternoon performance was for parents. We celebrated not only our community’s cultural heritage, but our students’ academic achievements, as well.The awards ceremony was a testament to our students' dedication to becoming bilingual and biliterate leaders. 
Lindsey Steiner Dual Language Teachers presented the following awards:

• Passing the WIDA English Assessment
• Passing AVANT Spanish Assessment This is a massive accomplishment that represents the rigorous proficiency levels our students have reached in English and Spanish. They are one of the main requirements for earning the New Mexico State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy on a high school diploma. In New Mexico, the Bilingual Seal is a prestigious credential that honors students who reach high levels of proficiency in both English and a heritage or world language. This credential stays with students through high school graduation, signaling to universities and future employers that they possess the high-level language skills necessary for a global workforce.
• Completion of 6th Grade
• Completion of PMSD Dual Language Program K-6

• Mrs. Carol Flores, for her vision and hard work in writing the Core SIPP Grant, and choosing our Ballet Folklórico Dance Group to be included as a recipient of a $5,000 grant, for providing culturally & age appropriate physical activity through dance instruction as an after school program, along with Ms. Laurie Collins, Director of the Roosevelt County Health Council, the New Mexico Department of Health and the University of New Mexico.