When I found out I was accepted, I was beyond excited,” said sophomore Chandler Reynolds, one of the 24 sophomores inducted into the National Honor Society at the spring ceremony. “It’s an honor to be a part of a group that values hard work and service.”
On Tues., Feb. 25th, The National Honor Society (NHS) held its induction ceremony, welcoming a record number of new members – 24 sophomores and 34 juniors. NHS Advisor Ms. Misselhorn explained that there are no set quotas for membership and more students met NHS’s criteria. “Each candidate is evaluated on how they fulfill each of the four pillars of NHS: Leadership, Service, Character, and Scholarship.
The ceremony featured remarks from Head of School Mr. David Faus and Head of Upper School Mr. Carr. Faus highlighted the values that define an NHS member, while Carr provided a brief history of the prestigious society.
Following Carr’s remarks, Ms. Misselhorn detailed the selective application process. “The inductees were notified of their academic qualification by having a cumulative GPA of 3.8, then they submitted an application, and participated in an interview. The NHS Faculty Council members make the final selections, after careful consideration of a candidate’s credentials and the recommendations and comments of the entire faculty. The faculty council consists of Mr. Connor Boray, Ms. Carol McGrath, Mrs. Sara Salivar, and Ms. Renee Szeliga, Mrs. Sharon Wendler,” Misselhorn explained.
Chapter President Mikayla Scotto and other NHS officers then took the stage to present biographies of the inductees, highlighting their academic and extracurricular achievements. Scotto, reflecting on her role, emphasized the qualities of an ideal NHS candidate. “An NHS member is someone with a strong drive to work hard but also someone who wants to better themselves and others. An important part of NHS is helping out whenever necessary, whether through service opportunities or school events.”
For many inductees, the ceremony marked the culmination of years of perseverance. Junior Bryce Seger, who was not accepted into NHS as a sophomore, shared how determination fueled her success. “This year I really tried to get involved in meaningful activities because the first time I applied to NHS, I did not get in. Balancing my academics and extracurricular responsibilities at the start was not easy, and I learned that time management is crucial. After all the work I put in, it was nice to get recognized,” Seger expressed.
Junior and inductee Sebastian Scaperotto was grateful to be acknowledged for his hard work and academic excellence. “It’s an incredible accomplishment. Seeing my hard work pay off feels amazing, and I am excited to get more involved in the school community with the service events NHS participates in,” Scaperotto said.
The induction ceremony remains an enduring tradition, serving as both a celebration of students’ accomplishments and a source of inspiration for underclassmen. “It’s a significant moment for students and their families to be recognized for their hard work. It encourages younger classmen to strive for NHS in the future,” Scotto explained.
With new inductees now a part of the society, NHS members will continue to uphold its values through service projects and leadership initiatives. Ms. Misselhorn expressed her excitement for this new group of students stating, “It is wonderful to see all of the amazing things NHS members do for the community. I can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”
The ceremony concluded with the traditional candle-lighting ritual, as all National Honor Society members stood to recite the Society’s pledge. As candles lit up across the stage, the National Honor Society stood 54 people stronger, united in their commitment to upholding the pillars of leadership, service, character, and scholarship.
