The Spanish Honor Society was founded by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in 1953. In 1959, the Society was given its current, appropriately Spanish-language name: Sociedad Honoria Hispanica. Students in public, parochial, and private high schools are all eligible for recognition by the Sociedad (or SHH). The Association oversees the National Spanish Examination, which provides students with numeric recognition of their work; students are not, however, required to take the exam to be eligible for nomination to the Honor Society.
The Sociedad Honoraria Hispanic expands by means of chapter establishment. Eligible students can start a chapter with assistance from the Sociedad, promoting language and cultural experiences in their own schools while participating in online community fellowship as well. Each chapter selects the name of a Spanish, Portuguese, or Hispanic community member of accomplishment; names range from historic poets and artists to currently popular actors like Antonio Banderas. The Association estimates that SHH currently has approximately 2,000 active chapters.
The popularity of Spanish language study plus the increased numbers of students coming to U.S. schools from Spanish- and Portuguese-language cultures has stimulated recent growth of the National Hispanic Honor Society for college students. Chapters celebrate the rich diversity of European and Latin American Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking cultures. College chapter programs expand cultural awareness and encourage new scholars and teachers. College chapter goals strongly resemble those of SHH, but chapter foundation and activities are overseen by Sigma Delta Pi, the national organization.
Changes in elementary school enrollment and increases in bilingual or language-learner instruction have stimulated the Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese to offer elementary and middle school teachers the opportunity to establish chapters of Sociedad Hispanica de Amistad. Recognizing that there may be wide variation in elementary language-related programs, AATSP offers a roster of adaptable projects for young chapter members to enjoy, while granting teachers considerable latitude in establishing other chapter criteria.
In general, belonging to a Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica or related program can support a student in academic language proficiency. The hopes of honor chapters overall, however, include broadening cultural understanding on a deeper level. Through sharing experiences of language, music, art, food and travel, honor society members learn to be citizens of a larger-than-local world.