LYNN — Breed Middle School celebrated the Spanish National Junior Honor Society with its annual Chapter “Rigoberta Menchu” induction ceremony on Thursday.
Students and families gathered in the middle school’s auditorium to present the 2024 inductees and recognize their work as big brothers and big sisters to the little brothers and little sisters in the program.
“The most hardworking, respectful, and kind young people,” Principal Julie Louf said about the inductees. “(They’ve) fostered a supportive learning environment for their little brothers and little sisters in the program throughout the school year. Providing language assistance, but more importantly, friendship.”
Louf said the inductees not only provide academic assistance, but hold high academic standards and a “strong dedication” to service in the community.
Chapter Advisor Magalie Rowe said that the program started in 2016, and was the first public school Spanish honor society.
Harvard University Professor Dr. Americo Mendoza gave a keynote address, discussing the language and identity of Spanish speakers.
“Sometimes we call Spanish a foreign language… but if you look at the amount of speakers, it is a reality that our society incorporates Spanish as a local language,” Mendoza said. “Therefore, we need these types of structures and educational spaces to nurture the reality that we have.”
Mendoza also provided a statistic from 2022 that showed the United States has the largest number of native Spanish speakers worldwide.
The 2024 Inductees to the Spanish Honor Society are: Gabriel Maldonado Diaz, Shanky Y. Marroquin, Malany Barrera Robles, Laila Chavez Lopez, Maycotulio Martinez, Jennifer Rodriguez-Lopez, Matthew Zappa-Serban, Jessica Lopez Chavez, Alisha Em, Elena Bishop, Sreynin Ny, Aiden Portillo, Alexis Puma, Jazel Lantano, Soriya Him, Angely Pena, Julissa Irizarry, Tyler Doan, Arianna Lopez, Jackson Barrett, Angie Hernandez-Barrios, Yulianny Bernabel Cruz, Jace Calixte, Joshua Morales Rodas, Stephen Ssozi, Danna Morales, Bao Nguyen, and Ryleigh Mallett.
