her own experience, she knows language skills can only help them in their careers.



"Most of the jobs I had, I've always gone higher at least one level on the pay scale because I'm bilingual," says Loya.



Loya wants to see that same success in her students.



The state does not require a foreign language to graduate or in its Smart Core curriculum, which is a rigorous alternative route for high school students. That is why lottery legislation eliminated the requirement for next year's lottery scholarships.