Students inducted into French honors society

April 5, 2013

by Katie Parkinson

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The first induction ceremony of the STA chapter of the National French Honor Society took place March 7 in Zahner Lounge during Activity 1. According to French teacher Alice Amick, STA joined this society after juniors Shelby Hawkins, Anna Leach and Erin Farmer suggested the idea.

The sense was that it would be a great way to raise the profile of the very dedicated French students in the community and also to have something for the college resumé,” Amick said.

According to the American Association of Teachers of French, the organization that sponsors this society, to be eligible for membership, students must have taken at least three semesters of French, maintain a cumulative A- average in all French classes and a B- cumulative GPA.

This year, 38 new members were inducted.

“I enjoyed [the first induction ceremony,] and I saw a lot of enthusiasm,” Amick said.

During the ceremony, a candle was passed to each student, who then explained how French had opened up her world. According to Amick, this idea is based off the French Honor Society’s idea of the passing of the torch, an ancient tradition that used to take place in Greece. Citizens would line up and transmit a torch from person to person until it reached everyone. This symbolized the image of the succeeding generations of life.

According to the French Honor Society National Constitution, the goal is to “stimulate interest in the study of French, to promote high standards of scholarship… to create enthusiasm for and an understanding of francophone culture civilization [and] to promote and perpetuate international friendship.”

“It’s been suggested to have a French-styled picnic where we’re having baguettes and chicken and things like that and just get to know one another as a group,” Amick said.

According to Amick, there is also a possibility of a fundraiser in the future.

“I don’t know if we’ll get to [a fundraiser] this year, but I’m hoping [the French Honor Society] will continue here long after I’m gone,” Amick said.

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