Seven Charles Henderson High School students were inducted into the National Spanish Honor Society Thursday night at the Spanish Honors Banquet at the Troy Country Club.

Spanish teacher Pamela Merkel inducted Mary Ellen Bassett, Jennifer Cooper, Michelle Ennis, Preston Hayden, Tonya Johnson, Meghan Kelly and Natalie Patterson into the honor society.

Bassett also received an award for excellence for maintaining the highest GPA in her class for four consecutive years.

Seniors Necole Pearson, Allyson Railey and Ciara Zabolotney each received a Senior Medal.

Merkel also honored students in her Spanish I, II, III and IV/AP classes for academic excellence.

By the end of the night, Merkel had given out over 40 awards and certificates.

In her remarks, Merkel said the accomplishments of her students were proof "Spanish is not that hard."

Stressing the importance of globalization, Merkel asked her students to "stick with me a little longer and let me mold you."

She promised the Spanish they learn now will ensure their place in the global world of the future.

Merkel also recognized Spanish III and IV students with teaching certificates.

Once a week, these students taught Spanish to second- and third-graders at Troy Elementary School.

The students planned and carried out each lesson.

For her Spanish III teachers, Merkel gave certificates to Sarah Butler, Jennifer Cooper, Nikki Hussey, Robin Rouse, Spencer Salmon, Karoline Uphaws, Blake Weston, Amber Welch, Shetial Wingard, Shawn Maldon and Ciara Zabolotney.

Merkel also recognized these students for their academic success throughout the year.

In the Spanish IV class, all honor society inductees and Necole Pearson and Allyson Railey received teaching recognition.

Spanish I had the most students receiving academic recognition.

Those students include: Chance Brown, Brittany Hagler, Jessica Helms, Katherine Lee, Cameron Locklar, Anne Pelfrey, Valerie Stamey, Christina Steelman, Hilary Bassett, Aaron Barr, Meggan Graham, Chelsea Haisten, Clay Helms, Nikki Knox, Emily Smith, Lucas Beck, Steven Davis, Antonio Kang, Russell Salmon, Stacy Walters and Jehle Flowers.

Spanish II students recognized for their work include: Casey East, Nicole Johnson, Ashley Kreis, Joscelyn Martin, Allison McCurley, Jenae Shipman, Ashton Spann, Jennifer Floyd, Roberto Kelly, Tiffany Pearson, Anne Pelfrey, Scott Sexton and Bayne Taylor.