La Société Honoraire de Française

Ever since I discovered my love for the French language during my freshman year at Oakmont, I knew I was meant to join the school’s exciting French Honor Society. When the organization held its new-member induction and awards ceremony on September 21, 2022, my dream came true.

Twelve new members joined the SHF last Wednesday in the Von Deck Lecture Hall from 6:30 to 8:00 PM,  four sophomores and eight juniors. The list includes Max Stone, Sara Curran, Callie Robertson, Olivia Palubeckis, Cathal Wells, Abigail Ruscoe, Kaden Yoder, me (Dani Lewis), Aidan Cleaves, Nicholas Ethier, Matthew Cormier, and Georgia Duclos. Inductees received membership certificates and Oakmont SHF berets, complemented by a tiny pin of a French flag.

The organization was founded back in 2016, when language teacher Jakki Therrien realized how Oakmont was missing out on the importance of French language and culture in the world.

“I started [SHF] because I was very aware that Oakmont High School was very skewed towards learning Spanish (over French),” she said. “Around 43 countries speak the French language around the world, but usually people only think of France and Quebec.” 

Through Therrien’s hard work and the interest of more and more students, the SHF program was granted a charter and, as of 2018, supports itself financially with movie showings, bake sales, and bracelet sales. Some of the money also goes to charities that support French-speaking regions in need around the world, like UNICEF. 

As for Oakmont, Therrien hopes to grow the influence of French in the school. “My goal is to have at least 18 students in all my classes,” she replied when I asked what SHF hoped to accomplish that year. She remains excited by each milestone: for example, 12 new SHF members!

At the celebration, Principal Lizotte spoke first to address the inductees, and Therrien followed up with an explanation of the SHF’s Oakmont history. Everyone stood to sing a part of “La Marseillaise,” France’s national anthem- an adventure in itself. Next, three senior members – Colleen Schubmehl, Abigail Mulhall, and Madeleine Johnson gave reflections on three important French figures, and Co-President Erin Boc and Treasurer Helen Yan spoke on some of the SHF’s activities from last year, including unique bracelet sales.

Afterward, Mrs. Therrien awarded two-year certificates to the senior SHF members, along with Oakmont’s first ever 3-year certificate to Co-President Abigail Mulhall, who joined as a sophomore! In two years, the four new sophomores will also receive three-year certificates.

Next, new inductees received their membership certificates from Mr. Lizotte and Mrs. Therrien, and held candles to recite the pledge: “Je m’engage à continuer sans relâche. . mon amour pour la langue française et la culture de la francophonie.” A promise to continue our education and to transmit to future generations our love for the French language and French culture.

At last, senior members served the audience and inducted members with wonderful homemade crepes! They were extremely popular among inductees Cathal Wells and Max Stone, who both counted the crepes as their favorite part of the ordeal. 

Several successful students I interviewed were thrilled with the experience, and looking forward to a bright future. “My family was extremely proud, but personally, the ceremony meant a lot to me as the group contains so many of the most achieving students in Oakmont,” said Wells.

“I am super excited about joining and have been hoping to get in since like freshman year!” exclaimed Abby Ruscoe, a junior.

The excitement surrounding the induction wasn’t all about French. Sara Curran, a junior inductee, said “I originally chose to study French because I loved the phonetics of it, but I’ve really grown to love the culture and mostly my classmates.”

Indeed, many students picked the French language for one reason or another, but in the end, they were incredibly glad for it. Both the students and Therrien look forward to encouraging students to pick French as their language out of interest, and also for the authentic experience we feel lucky to have.

“Every year brings new challenges, new characters, new students, new personalities,” said Therrien. “I love it.”