Bonjour tout le monde! What world language did you take in high school? According to Newsdle.com, French is the second most popular language taken in the U.S. with as high as 15% of American students studying it. To keep French culture in school, Société Honoraire de Français was introduced.
Société Honoraire de Français, most commonly known as the French Honors Society, is an organization that was founded to highlight students who maintained excellent grades in their French language classes and to spread French culture. The society focuses on spreading French culture in high schools across the U.S. and fundraising for non-profit organizations.
According to Frenchteachers.Org, French Honors Society was founded in New York in 1927. The first president, Charles A. Downer, introduced the society’s mission in November 1927. In the first issue of the French Review, he said, “…the maintenance of the highest standards of culture among the teachers, to the study and application of the best methods of instructions, the pursuit of the best conditions for teaching and the creation of the spirit of solidarity and mutual helpfulness without which these aims cannot be realized.”
Since then, the Society has grown exponentially, and currently, the U.S. is divided into 9 regions and has approximately 70 chapters per state. However, some larger states like New York, Texas, California, Pennsylvania, etc., have multiple chapters. Société Honoraire de Français has made its way across the country, even to small schools like Oakmont.
In February 2017, The first 16 members of the Oakmont French Honor Society were inducted. The original adviser and leader of this society was Madame Therrien. Since then, students have brought French culture to our school district through bake sales, posters, movie nights, and more. Madame Therrien is the reason that Société Honoraire de Français was brought to Oakmont in the first place and was extremely involved with the society and its members. Though she recently retired her efforts in introducing French Culture will never be forgotten.
Also introduced by Madame Therrien, the current SHF at Oakmont works to raise money for different organizations such as UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) and Médecins sans frontières (Doctors Without Borders) which are both French organizations that help those in need.
Most recently SHF has done a bracelet sale where they sold colorful French-themed bracelets in four corners for 2 dollars each. All the proceeds from this event will go into their 500-dollar fundraising goal which they hope to reach by the end of the school year. This money will be donated to UNICEF. They also hosted National French Week and hung up posters around the school with some Francophone facts. Then you could fill out a Kahoot! With the same facts from around the school to win a prize. They will soon sell little paper shoes filled with candy for Saint Nicholas Day. In French culture, on the night of December 5th, little boys and girls leave their shoes out in the hope that Saint Nicholas will fill them with chocolate, candies, nuts, and fruits. SHF is doing its own spin on this fun holiday by selling little paper shoes filled with sweet treats during the month of December. All donations will continue to go to their $500 goal.
Currently, at Oakmont, 18 juniors and seniors are part of this society along with their adviser, Madame Klein. The President, Georgia Duclos, and our Vice President, Maggie Hubbard, work tirelessly to make French Honors Society the group it is. When Hubbard was asked why she joined SHF, she responded, “I joined SHF because it is the only French Honors Society chapter in all of New England and it is a really good way to help my community learn about French culture.”
When Duclos was asked the same question, she responded, “I joined SHF because I loved French class. Also, I thought all the fundraising they did was amazing, and I just thought it was a good way to get more involved in the school” Some of their favorite fundraisers include our new candy-filled paper shoes for Saint Nicholas Day and the bracelet sale done recently.
Duclos said the best part of SHF was, “My favorite part about SHF would be creating fundraisers, it is very fun especially when everyone works together to make bracelets for example, and it’s nice to help others.” When Hubbard was asked the same question, she responded with, “My favorite part about French Honors Society is spending time after school with other members preparing for our events.” Our President and Vice President are extremely dedicated to this society and are the reason why we can help so many people.
Our adviser, Madame Klein, has advised the French Honors Society for the past 2 years after Madame Therrien retired in 2023. Since then she has run the French Honors Society and helped coordinate fundraisers and events. When asked what her favorite things SHF does, she responded, “ I love that SHF is active in promoting the French language and culture to our school, representing the historical background of our local communities. The continued generosity to fundraising for French-based charities that fight injustices around the world is something I’m so proud of SHF for doing.”
As the French Honors Society continues to grow, Klein also wants to continue making our community a better place. “ In the future, I would love to see SHF consistently promote French in other schools in the district and within the community as well. We are definitely a presence at Oakmont and I would like to see that expanded.”
French Honors Society is a program that does so much good. Through their charity work, it is obvious how much they do for not just the school, but for all things French. Whether you don’t know a single word in French, or you are currently a French student, everyone should at least consider joining Société Honoraire de Français!
