Another beginning to an exciting year, and BRP has a new Honors Society! The Spanish National Honors Society marks the school’s first-ever language-based Honors Society. Being an honors student often focuses primarily on one’s academic achievement, and while this is a major part of SNSH, the club also values the student’s advocacy for the Spanish-speaking community in and out of the classroom. The society's mission is to go beyond pure academics, to advocate for the Spanish-speaking community and help build cultural bridges with other communities.
The society was started by one of BRP’s language teachers, Ms.Delgado.When asked why she wanted to start the club, she said: “As a language department we decided to start the SNHS at BRP in order to recognize our students' hard work and love of Hispanic culture. In addition, being part of SNHS, we want to elevate students' academic commitment towards their future.” Integrating a second language into students’ lives for more cultural awareness and appreciation is always a priority. In the SNHS, students now have a direct way to use their skills with other Spanish students from different grades as well as the larger New York community.
Along with Ms.Delgado, Ms.Spahija, and Ms.Moya, whose dedication to the integration of non-English languages in students' everyday lives positively shapes the Honors Society. The club’s President and Vice-President, seniors Cara Insley, and Mika Batsiyan respectively, are also students who have been shaped by language classes most of their schooling and find it valuable. “I feel that it is important to surround yourself in an environment that teaches and informs you on cultures outside of the United States,” says Cara. “Having the Spanish honors society in BRP allows students to really connect to a language and culture that we haven’t been connected to in the past.”
The Board has big dreams for the club’s future and plans on working directly with all BRP students, not just Society members. “Regular students can get involved with the honors society by getting tutored and offering help with the society’s activities…” says Mika. To create more outreach, the society is focused on giving back to the school community through a new Spanish tutoring program. All students can come during designated times to get help from upperclassmen who have taken Spanish. This is a great way for the Society members to make new connections and for regular students to learn more about the Society. Both the President and Vice-President are very keen on getting this program started. Cara adds, “As President, I am looking to help the students and faculty in the BRP community to be more involved with the Hispanic culture…[and] want to make sure everyone feels welcome and inclusive when wanting to learn more about this culture and heritage.”
But, let’s focus on what the society has planned right now!
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, the Honors Society will be hosting a bake sale with cultural candies, baked goods, and music, to support El Taller, a non-profit based in NYC bringing together the Latin and North American cultures through the arts. This is a great way for the Honors Society to work on giving back to our greater community as well. The moderators add: “Our main goal is to create an environment where students spread cultural awareness and can share the reason why they fell in love with learning Spanish. It is why we are excited for this upcoming bake sale, in which our current honor society students wanted to expose our student body to Spanish desserts.” This is yet another way for students to show up and learn more about the Society. Come to the 2nd Floor on October 4th and 5th at 12pm and support!
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