Students and parents gathered on Thursday, Feb. 21 to induct 46 new members into the National French Honor Society (NFHS). Students were chosen based on their skill with the language, personal strengths, and their ability to contribute ideas to the organization.

The ceremony began with an opening speech from Ms. Anne Macharia, the sponsor of the organization. Officers then began to handout certificates and candles to all the inductees. The NFHS induction ceremony is known as a “La Course du Flambeau” which means “The Torch Run” where new members are inducted through the lighting of candles. The flame from one candle is passed down from member to member to signify the transmission of knowledge from year to year, from generation to generation.

“I am very excited about the new generation of members because they are so enthusiastic and they have shown me that they really love the french language and the francophone culture,” Macharia said. “I am [also] excited about the new ideas that they are going to bring to our society.”

When all members joined together on stage, they recited the NFHS pledge which solidified their induction. The ceremony ended with members of the orchestra playing the French national anthem, ‘La Marseillaise’  and the inductees blowing out their candles. Students and parents were then treated with different types of French food, from crossiants to macarons.

“I thought the ceremony was very nice. I felt like we all united and became closer as a group of people,” Nivrithi Kuttuva ‘21 said. “Now that I am apart of NFHS, I’m excited to volunteer and host events in our community.”