Like anything, it is important to recognize those who go above and beyond to achieve their greatest potential. Here at Bellefonte High, the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, meaning “Spanish Honor Society,” does exactly this by welcoming new members into the club annually through a formal induction ceremony. 

The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica recognizes students at BAHS who have excelled in the language of Spanish and wish to continue promoting the language throughout their high school career. In order to be invited to join this organization, students must have at least a 90% in their Spanish classes at the high school, as well as a cumulative grade point average of an 85% or higher. This ensures that all members who are inducted into the chapter are dedicated students who will serve as role models in the community, and promote the language of Spanish. 

This year, a record number of 32 sophomore and junior students were inducted on November 12 by Club Advisors and Spanish teachers Mrs. Victoria Smith and Mrs. Emily Zimdahl-McManus (Profe). This added to the nine members who previously made up the entirety of the club. Profe is the Chapter Sponsor through the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP), meaning she is “responsible for coordinating all the details through National headquarters,” and ensuring the chapter “is legitimate, adhering to National By-Laws, and overall, promoting Spanish in Bellefonte.”

“The induction this year was a testament to our ability, teachers and students alike, to adapt to necessary change,” Profe said. “Our executive board and senior members have stepped up to help troubleshoot and problem solve.”

And the Spanish Honor Society at BAHS did exactly that. With various COVID-19 protocols, the chapter’s 41 students cannot condense into one classroom during their monthly meetings. This obstacle has called for students to separate and distance themselves throughout both Mrs. Smith’s and Profe’s classrooms, with a Google Meet connecting the two groups. While this may not look like the organization’s typical gathering, the Society does not let this get in the way of business. 

“We accomplished our goal of figuring out a socially distant yet virtual/live/recorded induction ceremony,” Profe said.

After inducting new members in November, the Spanish Honor Society elected members to fill the executive positions in the 2021-2022 school year, after the current executive board members graduate. The group voted on new members to fill the positions of president, vice president, senior secretary, junior secretary, and treasurer. The newly elected officials, respective to the positions, are as follows: Angelina Aviles, Davis Corman, Nolan Weaver, Kate Rarrick, and Paige Kephart. 

The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is not the only organization that recognizes students for their excellence in language. French teacher Mrs. Brittany McCamley is the advisor of the French Honor Society (FHS), which promotes the French language via the impressive students who make up the club. Bellefonte recognizes the importance of cultural and language diversity, which is why these Honor Societies are a beneficial way to promote these practices. However, this year, the FHS will not be inducting new members. 

Despite the unusual challenges that the Spanish Honor Society has been forced to adapt to, the organization is determined to do as much as possible throughout the year to promote the Spanish Language to the Bellefonte community. 

Bellefonte congratulates the following students for their welcoming into the Spanish Honor Society: 

Pauline Alterio

Olivia Astare

Angelina Aviles

Bethany Book

Ava Bressler

Josiah Cadman

Dominic Capperella

Jocelyn Cooke

Davis Corman

Emily Culp

Ryleigh Dann

Kaley Fisher

Lilly Guenther

Madyson Hockenberry

Brayson Holderman

Adrienne Jackson

Paige Kephart

Ava Lauck

Emma Matsko

Natalie Mattern

Cecelia McGovern

Ava Seigworth 

Grace Taylor

Ryan Miller

Katherine Nugent

Bria Pacella

Hana Rados

Kate Rarrick

Victoria Royer

Lindsay Smith 

Rachel Smoyer

Nolan Weaver