LYNN — Sixteen Breed Middle School students were inducted into the Spanish National Junior Honor Society Wednesday afternoon for their dedication to learning the Spanish language.
A ceremony highlighting their achievements was held in the school’s lecture hall. About half of the students were in attendance, with the rest participating virtually. The event was recorded for the benefit of family members.
Breed Principal Julie Louf said the “prestigious” event, which inducted students into the “Rigoberta Menchu” chapter of the Spanish National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), was aimed at recognizing students for their hard work and dedication in mastering the language.
“This past year has been difficult and we have overcome many challenges,” Louf said. “But today, we are here to honor and celebrate your accomplishments.”
The NJHS is not a club, “but an elite group that has a deep passion for the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures,” she said.
Students inducted into this society have a grade point average of at least 3.5 and have shown leadership, responsibility and good character.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler congratulated the students virtually, expressing how proud he was of the students.
“By your selection, I can only assume you’ve excelled in the study of the Spanish language and the various Spanish-speaking cultures,” Tutwiler said. “I can assume that you’ve gone above and beyond outside of the classroom, promoting an understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures and exhibited the motto of the Spanish National Honor Society, ‘todos a una,’ all together.”
The Spanish NJHS was founded by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in 1953. The chapter at Breed was established in 2016 thanks to the efforts of Spanish teachers Magalie Torres-Rowe and Aura Aristy Martinez, who both spearheaded the planning of Wednesday’s event.
The students received candles to mark the initiation into the society, which Breed’s Spanish NJHS President Andie Garcia Culp said represents inspiration toward high ideals.
“We are gathered here for the initiation of this group of students who have shown and proven a deep interest in the beautiful Spanish language,” Culp said. “Each has a candle in her or her hand. This typifies our course in life.”
The students inducted into the Spanish NJHS on Wednesday include Culp, Valeria Mendez, Amelia Eileen Spencer, Angelina Nevaeh Eth, Antonetta Jaiyda Corman, Janet Osagumwenro Ogbeiwil, Franklin Arturo Maldonado Rodriguez, Abla Youssra Arfiki, Jason Jose Burgos Rodriguez, Rylie Elizabeth Hart, Samantha Grace Leblanc, Lily Ngauv, Annalise Marie De Leon, Kimberly Michelle Gonzalez-Alvarado, Eider Elias Solis Lopez and Arnold Alexander Trejo Rodriguez.
The students repeated the oath of the society, in Spanish, after being inducted, saying that they promise to devote themselves to their studies in the hopes that they will one day master the Spanish language.
“A language can be a strong tie between persons of differing origins of race or religion,” the oath said. “As a citizen of my country, I promise to promote friendship and understanding between it and the other lands of the world.”
Louf awarded the students with their official certificates at the end of the event, and said the students will be asked to be leaders, and that they will be expected to be exemplary school citizens.
“Over the next several years, as you move on to high school, I expect you to dedicate yourself to your studies of the Spanish language and to serve your community of Lynn,” Louf said.
