SOMS Chapter of La Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad, Somos Amigos, Hosts First Induction Ceremony

The South Orangetown Middle School Chapter of La Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad, Somos Amigos, hosted their first-ever induction ceremony on June 1!

The Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad (SHA) is a society for Pre-K through 9th grade students of Spanish or Portuguese started by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). Since students are beginning to study languages earlier than ever before, the AATSP established the society to encourage young students to study languages in the lower grades and beyond, as well as to promote ambassadorship, service to community, and service to school.

110 seventh and eighth grade students who study Spanish were officially inducted into the honor society by SOMS World Language teachers Lisa Hackett, Ashley Gonzalez and Kathy Tobin after meeting the membership requirements, which includes maintaining above a 90 average for all four quarters and completing five hours of community service with a focus on an event to spread the Spanish culture within school or an action to expand their knowledge in the Spanish culture. The service hours must support the Spanish program in some way and they included attending cultural events, watching cultural movies/shows, studying Spanish artists and creating their own art or creating presentations that were shared regarding current events in Spanish-speaking countries.

During his remarks, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Rudy Arietta, Ed.D., spoke about the importance of taking and sticking with a language beyond middle and high school. “I took Spanish throughout high school and college but I regret not continuing to practice it. Being able to speak a second or third language will not only help you now, but when you go out into the ‘real world’ as you begin your career and travel. It gives you a glimpse into understanding more perspectives and makes you a more well rounded person,” said Arietta. 

Congratulations to:

Eighth grade members: Gabrielle A., Kayla B., Stella B., Maggie B., Luke B., Seline C., Thomas D., Emma F., Dylan F., Aaron G., Angel G., Devin H., Alayla J., Joseph J., Audrey K., Tristan K., Kristin K., Elle L., Goldie L., Seryn L., Gavin L., Nora M., Miles M., Preston M., Gabriel M., Kiera M., Adalin N., Nicholas N., Taylor O., Kaelyn P., Aubrey P., Mina R., Camila R., Leah R., Patterson Jack S., Natalia S., Ashley S., Sarah M., Michael R., Dean W., Jacob W., Ian W., Erica W., Charlotte W., Emely U., Myla Z.

Seventh grade members: Simra A., Giovany A., Noah A., Lily A., Presley A., Eliana A., Enea B., Christopher B., Veronica C., Gabriel C., Jake C., Ashley C., Thomas C., Magdalyn C., Luca C., Aubree D., Charlotte E., Henry F., Kevin F., Grace F., Kayla F., Yan G., Michael G., Savannah G., Brayden G., Mariah G., Isla H., Emma H., Michael I., Derek J., Yoni K., Maci K., Katherine L., Joseph L., Aaron L., Olivia L., Owen L., Brady M., Pat M., Kaitlyn M., Christian M., Jefferson M., Gabriella M., Rosa M., Alfredo M., Maya N., Xavier O., Callie P., Tyler P., Ella Rose P., Sean R., Grace R., Landon R., Jules S., Brian S., Caroline S., Noor S., Rafaela S., Geoffrey T., Brendan T., James W., Juliana W., Edward Y.