On Tuesday, Feb. 20, National French Honor Society (Société Honoraire de Français or SHF) inducted over 30 new members who displayed an exemplary academic record in French III or above.

As inductees and their parents were filing into the cafeteria, current SHF members and officers played traditional French music such as La Vie en Rose by Édith Piaf and Pachelbel’s Canon on the violin and cello. Soon after, attendees recited the pledge of allegiance, and La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, was played. Then, SHF sponsor Madame Macharia, Marie Douglas (the RRISD World Languages Coordinator), and SHF officers gave speeches congratulating new members on their entry into the society. 

“There were quite a few officer meetings that went into it,” SHF Parliamentarian Christiana Arnette ‘26 said. “We had to [consider] the food, the pledge, the candles, the music. [The induction] was very formal and everyone had a great time. Students were inducted one by one and were able to take a picture with Madame Macharia, and then they did the candle ceremony.”

Inductees stood on the stage and recited a pledge in which they dedicated themselves to learning French and more about francophone culture. Once they finished reciting the pledge and blew out their candles, they were officially new members.

“I’m actually really looking forward to the volunteering opportunities,” inductee Landon Iley ‘25 said, “not only because we [get to] collaborate with French-speaking countries and do good in society, but apply our skills in French towards that.”

In the past, SHF has hosted volunteering events including cultural activities like celebrating a French lemon festival (fete du citron) and Mardi Gras. In addition, SHF arranges outreach and service opportunities such as tutoring refugees or making videos in French for children in Benin to teach them how to speak English.

“I think [NFHS] is a really great opportunity, especially for the students who want to dive deeper into the language,” Iley said.