National Honor Society inducted 23 new members on May 8. The annual induction ceremony included speeches based on the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. Inductees swore an oath to honor the values of the organization and lit candles to represent the spreading of those values throughout the school and community.

“It is always an honor to be selected,” NHS sponsor Michelle Hurst said. “This year we have a good group of students that have already shown leadership and service around our campus, even as underclassmen.”

Members of NHS must maintain a GPA of 97 or higher, possess honorable character and perform eight hours of community service every semester and the summer.

“I was in NHS as a student and it is a national program that is well recognized by colleges and in the community,” Hurst said. “Sometimes students just join to have one more thing to put on their college applications, but it is really a chance for students to serve our school and community.”

Candidates had to undergo a rigorous application process in order to be considered for membership. A committee comprised of faculty members evaluated each applicant’s performance in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Junior Samuel Berbel felt proud to be chosen for induction.

“I’m pretty honored since I turned in the résumé and I was kind of unsure at first,” Berbel said. “I guess I got lucky because they chose me.”

Before the NHS ceremony, academic department heads presented awards to students in each subject demonstrating high grades, a positive attitude and good work ethic. Berbel received the Pre-AP French 3 award.

“An Academic Award means that I’ve been very proficient in a certain field of study and the teacher in that area has recognized that I have some kind of skill in that area,” Berbel said. “It’s another great honor. I’m flattered that my teacher thinks that I’m one of the best in my class.”

Berbel feels NHS membership will open up several opportunities for him to develop positive traits.

“I’m looking forward to building myself as a person, letting my leadership and character grow, and looking forward to a few hours of community service,” Berbel said.

National Honor Society Inductees:
Samuel Berbel
Luca Chudoba
Kiona Clarke
Kayla Collins
Aubrey Copeland
Jessica Copeland
Katherine Daiy
Nathalie Gaona
Taylor Glover
Derek Grey
Saumya Gupta
Sarah Haslam
Amelia Jackson
Brooke Jackson
Rylee Loveland
Kevin Maddox
Bailee Meals
Brady Moore
Deja Morehead
Kayla Parkins
Kayla Riley
Connor Wichterich
Alex Winston