2024-2025 Hispanic Honor Society and Spanish Club

Bienvenida

Historia de la Sociedad

Josh Blanton- Guest Speaker

Presentación de Nuevos Miembros

Ceremonia y Juramento 

Certificados

Buffet- Sonora Mexican Grill Restaurante, Ashland, KY

I am proud to say that our Hispanic Honor Society is more than just a recognition of academic excellence. It is a community of scholars and leaders who support and encourage each other to reach our fullest potential. We are committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice, and to serving our local and global communities.

Today, we welcome a new cohort of members who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to our mission. You have shown that you embody the values and spirit of our society, and we are excited to have you join our community.

To our new members, I want to say that this induction is not the end of your journey, but the beginning of a new chapter in your academic and personal growth. You are now part of a network of scholars and leaders who will challenge and support you, and who will help you make a difference in the world.

To all our members and guests, I want to thank you for your support and your commitment to our society. We could not achieve our goals without your dedication and contributions. Let us continue to work together to make a positive impact and to honor our heritage and our values.

Once again, welcome to our induction ceremony, and congratulations to our new members. Let us celebrate this special occasion and look forward to a bright future together.

Izzy Donahoe- President

Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica 

Historia en los Estados Unidos

     The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH) is an honor society for high school students enrolled in Spanish and/or Portuguese, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese -AATSP.

     The SHH was formally organized as the Spanish National Honor Society in 1953. The name was changed to Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica in 1959. At present there are more than 2,900 national and international chapters of the SHH.

     The mission of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is to recognize high school achievement in Spanish and Portuguese and to promote interest in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian studies.

     In the spirit of our mission, each year the SHH contributes more than $160,000 in awards to student members of the SHH. The most prestigious of the awards are college scholarships given to 60 high school senior SHH members and the Student Travel Awards given to 24 high school junior SHH members.

Welcome to the Gabriel García Márquez Chapter of the Hispanic Honor Society at Blazer High School. Named in honor of the renowned Colombian author and Nobel Prize winner, our chapter celebrates the literary genius of García Márquez, whose works, such as One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, have left an indelible mark on global literature. Known for pioneering the genre of magical realism, García Márquez used storytelling to explore complex social and political issues in Latin America. Gabriel Garcia Márquez was born on March 6, 1927 in Colombia– and died in Mexico City, on April 17, 2014. Nickname Gabo, was a Colombian writer, journalist and essayist, awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1982.

By naming our chapter after him, we honor his profound contributions to Hispanic culture and literature, while upholding our dedication to academic achievement, leadership, and community service. Through our events and programs, we aim to celebrate the vibrant heritage he captured in his writings and to inspire our members to grow as scholars and active leaders, leaving a positive mark on both our school and community.

The Hispanic Honor Society (HHS) at Blazer High School recognizes and celebrates academic achievement, leadership, and community service among students in our school. 

    Membership in the Hispanic Honor Society can provide opportunities for networking, leadership development, and community involvement. The HHS at Blazer High School organizes events and activities, such as cultural festivals, community service projects, and educational programs, that promote Hispanic culture and support the academic and personal growth of its members beyond school life. 

    Additionally, BHS-HHS members can receive reference and recommendation letters to support their acceptance into college and university-level programs.

Josh has been an Ashland City Commissioner and Mayor Pro Temp since 2020. He has a Bachelors Degree and MBA from Ohio University. Josh has been a Manufacturing Manager for five companies, including AK Steel, Special Metals, Johnson Controls, and Vesuvius. Working in the steel industry around the world including Mexico, has given Josh exensive understanding of the benefits of working and connecting with other cultures. Josh is married to his wife, Cesiah Bernal De La Garza de Blanton, who is orginally from Monterrey, Mexico.

La Ceremonia de La Luz

     This light symbolizes the passing of knowledge, wisdom, and experience from the current members to the new inductees.

     During the ceremony, a candle is lit to represent the light of knowledge, and each inductee is presented with their own candle, which they light from the main one. This symbolizes their acceptance into the society and their commitment to upholding the values and principles of the organization.

     As the candles are lit, a poem or speech may be recited, emphasizing the importance of knowledge, community, and service. The ceremony concludes with the new members taking an oath or pledge to uphold the values and mission of the society.

     The light ceremony is a powerful and meaningful tradition in the induction of the Hispanic Honor Society, emphasizing the importance of education, leadership, and service in the Hispanic community.

In the darkness of the night,

a single candle casts its light.

It flickers, dances, and glows,

dispelling shadows, chasing woes.

This light is not just for show,

it symbolizes what we know.

Knowledge is a flame inside,

that grows with every step we stride.

As we gather here tonight,

we share this flame, this guiding light.

It illuminates the path we take,

and leads us to a brighter fate.

Each candle represents a soul,

a new member in our fold.

Together we can make a change,

and help the world rearrange.

So let us pledge to keep this light,

burning bright, both day and night.

With service, leadership, and more,

we'll make a difference, that's for sure.

May this flame forever burn,

as we continue to learn.

And may we always hold this sight,

of a world that's filled with light.

Juramento de la Sociedad

“Como miembro del capítulo Gabriel García Márquez, me comprometo a dedicarme al estudio de la lengua española con el propósito de llegar a dominarla y comprender su riqueza cultural. Reconozco que una lengua es un vínculo poderoso entre personas de diferentes culturas. Como ciudadano comprometido, prometo fomentar el entendimiento y la amistad entre diversas culturas, promoviendo el respeto y el aprecio por la diversidad lingüística.

Esta es mi promesa. 

Este es mi juramento."