„Herzlich willkommen in die Ehrenverbindung Delta Epsilon Phi.“
A Look at German Honor Society Induction Ceremonies Delta Epsilon Phi (ΔΕΦ) National Honor Society for High School Students of German recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of learners of German. Students who are inducted receive an official certificate from AATG with their name, school name, and chapter name. Each year, students across the US are inducted into the Honor Society. The Chapter Handbook provides guidelines for ceremonies, but the details—like times, dates, and what delicious refreshments to serve!—are up to each chapter. Here’s a peek into the wonderful ways chapters celebrate their new members. Be inspired by this year’s inductees and their creative ideas for celebrating their achievement!
Grace Christian Academy, Knoxville, TN
Lower Moreland High School Huntingdon Valley, PA Some induction ceremonies take place in the classroom—Andrew Buss, Mark Klinchin, Jacob Leon, and Sophia Ung were inducted into Pennsylvania Eta Lambda on March 29. Chapter Sponsor Margaret Stiles led the event, attended by the other chapter members.
23 new members were inducted in February into the Tennessee Alpha Theta chapter at Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee. Chapter Sponsor Deidre Randles holds the induction ceremony each year during an afternoon in February in coordination with the other Honor Societies at her school.
Showcasing achievement at graduation—and everyday!
Inductees receive an official certificate from AATG with their name, school name, and chapter. Inductees are also eligible to wear official Delta Epsilon Phi items, such as graduation cords, tassels, seals, pins, patches, and T-Shirts, available in the AATG Store along with membership cards and keychains.
A history of excellence I am pleased to report that over 80 students from my German classes attained membership in our Chapter over our 26 years. —Emma Jean Middendorf, Massachusetts Mu Chapter Sponsor, Sacred Heart High School in Kingston, MA Right: Mike Walsh, German student at Sacred Heart High School, reading “Spaziergang” by Rainer Maria Rilke at Sacred Heart High School’s World Languages Annual Induction Ceremony.
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A night of honor, performance, and fun in Wisconsin
The Greenfield High School German National Honor Society induction ceremony was held on March 2nd, 2016. This year the ceremony began with a welcome from Greenfield High School’s principal Paul Thusius, Chapter Sponsor and German teacher Frau Carley Goodkind, and the chapter officers. Each year we acknowledge the participation of current members and inductees in many Germanrelated activities that happen throughout the school year. Some of these activities include the AATG National German Exam, the Annual Greenfield High School Gingerbread House Contest, the AATG Regional and State German Speaking Contests, and many more. The high level of participation in these activities depicts the quality of the current members and students being inducted. After the acknowledgement of the students, the ceremony began to expand into a sharing of language and culture. Over the summer of 2015, Michael Konetz, a current senior at Greenfield, had the chance to take a trip to Germany. During the ceremony, Michael gave a very inspiring speech about his two weeks there and how his knowledge of German allowed him to communicate with the natives and also assist an elderly man with an everyday task. After the conclusion of his speech, the new members were inducted. This year we inducted thirteen new members bringing the total number to thirty-two members. Following the induction of the new members and the honoring of second and third year members, the poem “1940” by Bertolt Brecht was recited by Brenda Ibanez-Garcia, a second year member. Next, the popular German song “Lieblingsmensch” by Namika was performed by Natalie Hoffman, a third year member. After their performances, many of the members had a chance to show off a new talent of theirs. The members of GNHS had spent many weeks learning the Haushammer, a German folk dance. The dance was taught to the students by Greenfield High School’s principal. The induction ceremony was a very enjoyable experience and differed from the previous ceremonies in a great way. —Andrea Turlick, Wisconsin Alpha Chi Secretary
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Nebraska students celebrate their classmates’ achievement with cupcakes and Apfelschorle
Clockwise from left: Anwar Khan, recent inductee, with Chapter Sponsor Wendy Brennan; Student-made cupcake display for the event is set up alongside the framed chapter charter; Chapter members Mary Juno, Kali McCord, and Ivy Banks gear up for the ceremony; student attendees receive a formal program for the ceremony.
After the 14 students were initiated, we ate cupcakes, drank Apfelschorle, and visited. Current members and Seniors Mary Juno and Ivy Banks, 2016 initiate and Senior Kali McCord, and Freshmen (and probable future members!) Maddy Larson and Alexa Wildy made the cupcake display, poured Apfelschorle, set up, and cleaned up afterward. —Wendy Brennan, Nebraska Theta Chapter Sponsor, Millard North High School, Omaha, NE
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German Night of Honor at Guajome Park Academy Every April, we hold a German Night of Honor at Guajome Park Academy to celebrate the achievements of our German students. It is a much anticipated event, and with an attendance beyond 120 it also extremely well attended for a high school of only 500 students. As part of the festivities, students receive their Achievement, Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards based on their performance on the National German Exam. Since our students also participate in the DSD I & II (Deutsche Sprachdiplom), students who have passed are also recognized. The teachers give short presentations about other highlights in the German program, as well as promote the German language by informing parents about all the opportunities for higher education and employment that are available to German students.
Jared Löhrmann presents his students with Delta Epsilon Phi certificates and National German Exam medals.
A proud student displays her Bronzeurkunde recognizing her achievement on the National German Exam.
Last year during the presentation, the students did a flash mob of Cro’s “Einmal um die Welt” which demonstrated both their excitement for and proficiency in German. As the pinnacle of the celebration, graduating seniors are inducted into Delta Epsilon Phi which is conducted all in German. Although students can be inducted earlier, we want to recognize those who made a true commitment to the German language throughout their high school career. It also encourages students to stick with German, so that they can wear the coveted German honor cords at graduation. The evening ends with German pop music playing in the background, and you can see students forming groups and singing along to the songs by Cro, Sportfreunde Stiller, Bosse, Joris, usw., while others mingle with teachers, and parents to enjoy finger foods. Many selfies are being taken, and everyone reminisces and looks forward to the next year. —Jared Löhrmann, chapter sponsor
“I think that the German Night of Honor provides a great opportunity to showcase the hard work that students have put forth throughout the year. I get excited to see my fellow students awarded for their effort and have seen friends move up through the ranks. It’s very exciting to qualify for an award, and getting it presented to you in person makes it even more meaningful. There’s also a lot of yummy food, which stimulates community among students and parents. Overall, it’s a 10 out of 10 experience!” –Megan Poffinbarger, Senior
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“I was inducted into a family with all my friends…” “I really enjoyed the German National Honors Society induction. The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming, and it was great to have all the German National Honors Society members and German Club members all together. It was a very memorable experience for me and I had a great time at the reception.” —Bahar T., La Habra High School Each of the members receiving a lit candle in representation of the knowledge and sense of global community that the students strive to gain from the society.
"Our German National Honor Society was a very nice and small ceremony. Our group feels like more a family than anything else. I felt as though I was inducted into a family with all my friends." —Josh D., La Habra High School —Sergey Artemyev, chapter sponsor Students at La Habra High School celebrate on the day of their induction ceremony.
Learn more about Delta Epsilon Phi and the National Honor Societies for middle school and community college students
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Induction as Advocacy: Bishop Lynch students emphasize the importance of learning languages at their ceremony At Bishop Lynch High School we hold our annual World Language Honor Society Induction Ceremony at the end of September. This was our fifth year combing our German, French and Spanish Bishop Lynch Delta Epsilon Phi students were inducted into Delta Epsilon National Honor Societies into one formal Phi at a National Language Honor Society Induction Ceremony September 29 that included all language honor societies at the school. ceremony, which features all components of the three distinct language ceremonies, a trilingual version of the Our Father, and a guest speaker. The ceremony, which is a solemn and memorable event, includes students symbolically receiving the light of knowledge, taking an oath, and receiving a pin and certificate. Sydney Goudie, this year’s German Club Historian and new 2015-2016 inductee, exclaimed, “I am honored to be a German Honors Society member and can’t wait to help influence others to join our German program at BL.” This year’s guest speaker was a Bishop Lynch alumna (’11), who served as the guest speaker with her speech entitled “Our Responsibility toward International Communication.” In the past we have had other teachers and community members speak about the importance of languages and cultures. After honor society membership books are signed and photos are taken, the newly-inducted members and audience members adjourn for light refreshments. Goudie reflected on this year’s event saying, “The most significant thing about the ceremony to me was how all the language honor societies grouped together to be inducted and all have the same goal, to spread the influence of language in society and to continue their language learning.”
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—Beth Burau, Texas Eta Iota Chapter Sponsor, Bishop Lynch High School, Dallas, TX
Each year student inductees attend an evening ceremony with their parents. We usually have 10 or so each year. A cake is purchased and current members run the ceremony. We use the basic ceremony in the chapter guide, and current members must introduce themselves in German. After the ceremony, which lasts about 15 minutes, students eat cake with their guests. —Sandy Nicholson, WI Gamma Chapter Sponsor, Plymouth High School
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The German Language School of Morris County and the German School of Monmouth County conduct an induction ceremony every year for both Delta Epsilon Phi and DEP Jr. during the school’s annual Year End Celebration and Graduation Ceremony. The entire school community of each school, as well as relatives and friends attend the celebration, which features a short induction ceremony with a lighting of candles. —Michaela Greco, Samstagsschulen Zeta and Beta Sponsor, German School of Monmouth County and German Language School of Morris County, NJ
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Timothy Smith, a Command Sergeant Major from the Army, and husband to Grapevine High School Librarian Karen Smith, attended the induction ceremony this year as a special guest. He is an integral supporter of our German program, as he meets with German students twice a week during class to teach about cultural comparisons and tutor students. His contributions have helped several students understand the more difficult aspects of the language and feel confident in their abilities. It was nice to be able to honor him. —Kristen Oviatt, Texas Iota Gama Chapter Sponsor, Grapevine High School
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