Fifty-seven students were inducted into The National Honor Society at the annual ceremony on May 22.

In late April,  several sophomores, juniors, and seniors, who had a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75, received letters and applications for the society, which needed to be filled out in order to be considered for acceptance.

“We had to prove that we had completed 25 hours for community service, show that we had good leadership skills, and were well rounded people,” sophomore inductee Aileen Ryan said.

Ryan’s community service consisted of volunteering for CBRB Cares, a program in which she was responsible for finding supplies and fundamental items, such as diapers, for children and delivering them to the service, and participating in activities at her church, like giving groups of kids tours of the area.

Students that met all of the necessary criteria received acceptance letters and were then invited to attend the mandatory induction ceremony.

The ceremony was run by the officers of the National Honor Society. During the function, officers reviewed the expectations and explained the significance of being a participant in the society. They also reflected on the key principles of NHS, which are scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Four candles were lit onstage to highlight the importance of each tenet.  

Additionally, Mr. Arlotta spoke to the inductees with words of praise and inspiration about their future participation in the NHS. Following his speech, the inductees recited a pledge and walked up on stage, individually, to receive their certificates.   

“Overall, the ceremony was very nice and elegant with live music by a student singing the National Anthem and another student playing the processional and recessional,” Donna Maasarani, the adviser of NHS, said.

Although the induction ceremony is complete, the students accepted have a harder job ahead of them. National Honor Society members must complete 40 hours of volunteer service per year.  Most students complete these hours outside of school at events that members are asked to assist in for our school and community.  

Tutoring other students, especially middle school students, is a very popular activity with NHS members. Also, many parents of elementary school children often ask the organization for tutors and homework helpers. Likewise, there are numerous other events that require assistance of NHS students: Back to School Night, Academic Awards, and Graduation.

“I have gotten a lot of community service hours from this experience because I do a lot more of that now that I am in National Honor Society and I’m very glad that I joined,” Anna Stigum, junior participant of NHS, said.

Stigum was inducted into the NHS in the May of last year and since then has participated in many different events. She has taken advantage of the volunteering opportunities the NHS has provided her with. She helps tutor middle schoolers in math and has assisted with events such as, Shovel for Seniors and Sharing the Arts.

The National Honor Society is often recognized as an elite organization that is held in high esteem by most colleges and universities.

“The NHS is an important program because it offers leadership and service opportunities for the students.  Participation will create a standard for each student, one which will hopefully transcend beyond their time at GRHS,” Maasarani said.