Spanish Honor Society

F.A.Q. regarding: La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica

1. Q: What is La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica aka SHH or SHS?

A: La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH) is the National Spanish Honor Society (NSHS). It is an organization founded and run by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP).

2. Q: What is Pensativa?

A: Pensativa is the name of Westfield High School’s chapter of the National Spanish Honor Society. Our chapter was founded in 1984 by Dr. Suzanne Jacobus, retired WHS Spanish Teacher and World Languages Supervisor. It was founded as a way for the Spanish Club to honor members who excelled in the study of Spanish.

3 Q: Can any WHS student become a member of the Spanish Honor Society?

A: Yes any WHS student who successfully meets the criteria listed below required for membership can become nominated and inducted.

4. Q: What is required for nomination?

A: The criterion for nomination into our SHH chapter is modeled after that of the National Honor Society and is therefore based on character, service (to the club) and leadership. In order to be nominated, a student must:

· be an active Spanish club member for at least one full year prior to nomination

· be currently enrolled in Spanish level 3 or higher

· have a final grade of A in the Spanish course(s) taken in the school year immediately preceding the current year of nomination

· have a mid-year grade of A in the Spanish course(s) taken in the school year immediately preceding the current year of nomination

· score a three or higher on an assessment of character, service and leadership by their current & former Spanish teachers.

5. Q: What does it mean to be “active” member of the Spanish Club?

A: An “active” member is one who has paid their annual dues, has attended Spanish Club meetings and participated in Spanish Club activities and fundraisers.

6. Q: Is there any cost associated with membership?

A: The only fees students have to pay are the annual dues, as noted in the Student Activities Booklet. The Club itself pays any costs associated with the SHH induction ceremony.

7. What happens after I’ve been inducted?

A: Your name is added to the national registry of the SHH. According to our chapter’s by-laws, in order to maintain membership, each year after initiation members are expected to… “maintain an academic commitment or a service commitment to the Spanish Club or a community/global commitment to the Spanish language.”

8. Q: What do I do if I still have questions and need more information?

A: Information is listed on the high school and district websites and in the WHS Club and Activities Booklet (also available online). Señora Calimano is the Spanish Club and SHH advisor at WHS. You can visit her classroom (261) or her school website, send her an e-mail at rcalimano@westfieldnjk12.org, speak to any Spanish teacher, or to a Spanish Club officer.