On Monday, March 30th, students gathered in Benjamin Hall for the National Honors Society (NHS) induction ceremony, where a record 93 new members were welcomed into the chapter. By the end of the assembly, each inductee had taken on the responsibility of upholding the society’s four pillars: leadership, service, character, and scholarship.
In order to apply to NHS, one must have a 3.8 cumulative GPA. Students must submit an application that includes a resume of their service and leadership as well as an essay. Their materials are then reviewed by the NHS faculty council, which then considers feedback from teachers and administration before any vote is taken.
Head of School Mr. David Faus opened the assembly by reflecting on the four pillars of NHS and how they align with the Benjamin mission, emphasizing that the ceremony honors students who have fully lived out those values. Academic Dean Mr. Andy Curtis followed with a brief history of the society, explaining that the Benjamin Chapter of NHS started in 1978.
This year’s ceremony also marked a transition in leadership, as Upper School history teacher Mr. Connor Boray and English teacher Mrs. Shannon Anderson were introduced as the new advisors, stepping into the role following Mrs. Sarah Misselhorn. Both spoke about their excitement about having the opportunity to build on Misselhorn’s legacy.
“I’ve always liked being involved in activities beyond the classroom because I think it’s a good way to get to know the students and really see what they can do outside of just academics. I also really believe in what NHS stands for. I was in NHS myself when I was in high school and so I see it as a really good club with a great mission, which is why I wanted to become an advisor,” Mrs. Anderson said.
Mr. Boray feels similar to Mrs. Anderson regarding the importance of NHS as he believes that it plays an integral role in shaping student accountability.
“Being a part of the society really forces students to think about their actions and hold themselves to a higher standard,” Mr. Boray stated.
Mr. Boray and Mrs. Anderson then passed the microphone to NHS President Sebastian Scapperotto and the other officers to lead the formal induction. Officers read personalized biographies for each student, and as the names were ready, inductees crossed the stage one by one, and were given an NHS stole to formally welcome them into the society.
The ceremony itself required extensive planning, much of it led by the student officers.
“Each of the officers was assigned a pillar and a group of students, so we were responsible for writing something meaningful for every single person. The script was definitely the most demanding part but dividing it up made it manageable and helped everything come together in the end,” Vice President of NHS Kate Quinlivan explained.
For many students, the induction was both exciting and rewarding.
“I was extremely excited when I found out I was being inducted into NHS. I’m super proud to be a part of the club and I cannot wait to contribute to it for the rest of my high school career. I’m looking forward to helping the school community as a member of NHS, whether that means tutoring peers, helping out teachers, or giving tours on open house night. I know how much TBS has contributed to my development as a student and as a person, and I cannot wait to have the chance to give back to the TBS community in these upcoming years,” sophomore inductee Max Wendler shared.
Junior Ella Egizio, another inductee, felt a similar sense of pride during the ceremony.
“As I was sitting on the stage, I felt very proud to be a part of a group that values helping others and making a positive impact on the community. Last year, I applied and did not get in so I really worked hard to improve my application. I helped to raise over $100,000 for research for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and also provide tutoring online with kids in Hopetown, Bahamas. It really means a lot that my work and service was recognized,” Egizio expressed.
With one of the largest induction classes in recent years, Mr. Boray and Mrs. Anderson noted that the group reflects a strong cohort of students meeting the chapter’s standards.
“NHS is a marker of excellence, but more importantly it creates a large group of people focused on serving their community. There were a lot of qualified students this year and I think that the newcomers will be able to play a bigger part in the community and this bigger group will be able to make a greater impact,” Mr. Boray explained.
The ceremony concluded with the traditional NHS pledge as candles lit across the stage. Looking forward, the chapter will shift its focus toward the election of next year’s officers so that the group can continue to lead and serve as role models for the school community.
