Students gathered in the cafeteria to take part in the National Spanish Honor Society (NSHS) induction ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 30. A table stood covered with certificates and a bright red banner embossed with gold words “Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica” and “Todos a una” signifying the focus of community in the organization. The school’s chapter of the NSHS is named after famed Spanish artist Diego Velásquez.

The induction ceremony began with Spanish teacher and NSHS sponsor Ms. Llanos-Gremillion speaking in Spanish. Several other speeches throughout the night were made by President Sejal Jain ‘20, Vice President Junna Castel ‘20, Corresponding Secretary Anika Chokhavatia ‘21 and Reporting Secretary April Gao ‘20 about the organization in Spanish. New inductees stood on risers, each wearing a rope bearing the society’s signature colors of red and gold and holding unlit candles.

“This is my thirteenth induction ceremony and I must say that every year is just as exciting as the first one,” Ms. Llanos-Gremillion said. “It is to me just thrilling to see how many students, since every year we do grow, are part of our program and are able to reap the rewards that our program has to offer through scholarships whether it’s travel scholarships or monetary scholarships for universities.” 

One by one students were called to receive their certificates and shake hands with Ms. Llanos-Gremillion and ceremoniously lit their candles before proceeding back on the risers. Castel began introducing a poem in Spanish and then the inductees joined in, reading the words in lyrical and articulate Spanish. Then Jain began speaking and students followed, repeating after her, the phrases bearing dedication to studying Spanish and becoming a member of an organization wanting to promote interconnectedness and friendship through Spanish. Afterwards, students spoke in unison to conclude their induction and blew out their candles swiftly.

“I just hope that they continue their studies with the Spanish language and the Hispanic culture because that’s how they can repay me,” Ms. Llanos-Gremillion said. “They say ‘You’ve been so great, I wish we could give back.’ The way to give back is for you all to continue your education and give service to those in need in Spanish speaking countries.”

Refreshments followed as students and parents mingled and gathered around. Inductees took pictures with their fellow students, parents and Ms. Llanos-Gremillion.

“I really liked that we were able to speak Spanish and convey how this is the beginning of our journey and our expansion of the Spanish culture,” Mira Desai ‘22 said. “I’m really excited because I love speaking Spanish. I want to see how I can expand my horizons in terms of learning about the culture and becoming more fluent.”