Sussex Academy inducted 23 new members of the World Language Honor Society in an intimate school ceremony May 20.

New inductees Yanisley Velasquez-Borrayes, Reagan Hastings, Olga Elizama Dionicio-Aguilar, Anna Lara-Nieto, Karla Hernandez, Fernanda Mejia, Angelife Carbajal-Sanchez, Aubrey Jones, Michael Whitaker, Yolanda Francis, Annette Anderson, Brooklyn Montgomery, Ryan Shipp, Diana Morales Mendez, Amy Perez-Morales, Olivia Dickerson, Patricia Lara-Nieto, Lauren Pieshala, Minahil Kayani, Ryann Hammond, Ashley Garcia, Gretchen Maughan and Caroline White were invited to officially light their candles and join the society.

Additionally, the Premio de Honor Award, given to a graduating senior who dedicated the most time toward the society and events that benefit the world language community, was presented to Princessa Lopez Diaz.

Seniors who completed their graduating prerequisites for the WLHS will receive red and yellow cords that represent the colors of Sussex Academy’s chapter; they are Katya Geyer, Oliver Graves, Amber Jennings, Priya Haldar, Karla Hernandez, Leni Kuska, Princessa Lopez Diaz and Ben Steimel.

Student officers for the 2026-27 school year were announced after being selected through an application process in which they demonstrated strong leadership, responsibility and dedication to the organization. They are President Olivia Dickerson, Vice President Caroline White, Secretary Rossy Angel Herrera, Treasurer Brooklyn Montgomery and Historian Reagan Hastings.

Students who meet certain academic and behavior requirements, including enrollment in a world language course and maintaining a GPA above 85%, can apply for the World Language Honor Society each November.

Members must also complete service hours related to world language throughout the year to help spread cultural awareness.

The World Language Honor Society hosts cultural events such as Día de Muertos and culture day, and engages in projects that support Latin communities, such as the Pulsera Project, in which Central American artists connect with students in more than 3,800 U.S. schools through the sale of colorful hand woven bracelets, or “pulseras” in Spanish.

Leading the society for the 2025-26 school year are President Jaziz Carvahal-Pecheco, Vice President Katya Geyer, Treasurer Oliver Graves, Secretary Katerine Amador-Ovalle and Historian Karina Lopez. Spanish teachers Nico Caceres and Emily Gutiérrez serve as advisors.

📷 : Sussex Academy inducted 23 new members into the World Language Honor Society May 20. Gathered are (l-r) advisor Nico Caceres, Katerine Amador-Ovalle, Annette Anderson, Aubrey Jones, Reagan Hastings, Olivia Dickerson, Angelife Carbajal Sanchez, Patricia Lara-Nieto, Anna Lara-Nieto, Fernanda Mejia-Ortiz, Minahil Kayani, Ryann Hammond, Karla Hernandez, Ben Steimel, Amy Perez-Morales, Ryan Shipp, Reagan O’Connor and advisor Emily Gutiérrez.