As the spring season approaches, so do many new opportunities for students within the school to add to their post high school resumes.
One such opportunity was to join the Spanish National Honor Society (SNHS), which accepted and decided upon student applicants a few weeks ago. Students who currently hold leadership positions were responsible for leading the induction ceremony held last week.
To be eligible for SNHS, students must show recognition of excellence, promotion of interest, and academic achievements, as well as demonstrate passion for studying the Spanish language.
According to former CHS Spanish teacher Hilda Wilson, who taught in the 90s, SNHS was founded for the students of North American secondary schools by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in 1953. Students who have shown and proven a deep interest in the language are given leadership opportunities, cultural integration, and the ability to develop their linguistic skills further.
Junior Elyse Schoenfeld is the current SNHS president. She has held this position for two years, showing her dedication through her organizational skills and her leadership, which gives her the opportunity to further her knowledge of the language.
Q: How has being the president benefited you?
A: “Being president has helped me understand that sometimes I need to take the initiative to get things done. Honestly, before being president I had never really held a leadership position in anything before, so it taught me how to be a bit more proactive, as well as how to reach out to people in the proper manner to set up meetings and events.”
Q: What fuels your love for the Spanish language?
A: “My experience with my teachers fuels my love for Spanish. I have been very fortunate to have many teachers who are very passionate about teaching Spanish and who pushed me to understand not only the language but many different cultures that surround it. Especially in my higher level Spanish classes, my teachers have been very enthusiastic and are willing to take the time, if I ask, to help me understand everything on a deeper level, which really helps me enjoy what I am learning.”
Q: How have your high school achievements regarding Spanish Honor Society affected your future?
A: “My achievements in Spanish National Honor Society have only made my love for the Spanish language grow, and pushed me to continue studying it as much as I can. It has made me decide that I want to minor in Spanish in college or do a semester abroad in a Spanish speaking country. They have also shown me that I am capable of holding a leadership role and that I can be proactive and responsible, which is something I have struggled with for a long time.”
