The Panther Valley School District will soon have a Spanish Honor Society after teacher Evelyn Hydock and her students proposed one to school board members Wednesday night.

“In today’s interconnected world, proficiency in multiple languages is a valuable asset,” said Hydock, who pointed out being bilingual has opened many doors for her.

“I’m hoping that it does the same thing for our students,” she said.

A Spanish Honor Society will promote academic excellence for students who must maintain an overall GPA of 85, and a GPA of 90 in Spanish, Hydock said.

The society will also provide cultural enrichment and community engagement, Hydock said.

She hopes that members can do projects, such as reading stories to younger students in both English and Spanish, and possibly travel to Allentown to see theater acts in Spanish.

“The society will provide additional opportunities for language practice for conversational groups, language immersion trips and exchange programs,” Hydock said.

The students told the board that they already chose a name of the chapter, Las Panteras, or The Panthers.

“I think it’s a great idea. I really do,” said Daniel Matika, school board president, and other members agreed.

The board gave Hydock the go-ahead to start laying the groundwork to start the chapter this school year, as it intends to give formal approval at its next meeting.

An induction would be set for early October.