Thirty-nine students were inducted this week into the Taft chapter of the French National Honor Society. French teacher Sarah Gray established the school's chapter of the Société Honoraire de Français this year.

"Bringing the French National Honor Society to Taft is part of a broader initiative to create more visibility and opportunity for our modern language students," said Gray. "It is important to celebrate their accomplishments within the academic realm at Taft, while opening the door to national achievement and recognition."

Students also established a French Club on campus this year, and for the first time, 16 students sat for Le Grand Concours, the National French exam. Both the exam and the Honor Society are sponsored y the American Association of Teachers of French.

"More than 79,000 students took the exam nationwide," explained Gray. "Fourteen of our students earned awards, ranging from honorable mentions to gold medals."

Two Taft students did exceptionally well: Magda Kisielinska '18 and Macy Toppan'18 earned second and fourth place finishes in the state of Connecticut, respectively; both earned sixth place honors at their level nationwide.

The French National Honor Society recognizes high school sophomores and above in the United States who have maintained a 90 average all year in their French language courses; their motto is: L'homme qui sait deux langues en vaut deux, "The man who knows two languages is worth two men." Community service is mandatory for members, as is a high grade point average overall, in addition to an A in French classes during the semester of selection. Members of Taft's inaugural class of inductees are:

Grace Adams '17, Aiche Ba '19, Corrine Bai '18, Raymond Bai '18, Haley Barr '18, Katie Bootsma '20, Lexi Cafiero '18, Gabby Gonzales Carpio '17, Sam Chan '18, Julia Dawson '19, Cho Dechen '19, Piper Desorcie '20, Peter Dzubay '1, Louise Gagnon '18, Sydney Gerbel '18, Elizabeth Henebry '17, Marshall Henshaw '19, Eve Inglis '17, Sophie Kamhi '17, Nick Kennedy '17, Dylan Kim '19, Magda Kisielinska '18, Anabel Likoskendaj '18, Camilla McGarry '19, Sidney Molar '18, Hanna Murphy '18, Natalie Muskin '17, Julia Ordway '19, Katie Piechnik '18, Leigh Sharpless '18, Caroline Shea '19, Will Sisson '17, Stephanie Sze '18, Lily Thebault '18, Macy Toppan '18, Micah Umeh '19, Claudia Vira '18, Caroline Winicki '17, Jamie Woodworth '18