With its first induction ceremony since the 2018-2019 school year,  the National Honor Society celebrated its newest members and club officers. Students, staff and family gathered in the library on May 19 to recognize students as official members.

The ceremony began with Myess Hammouri, the president of NHS, giving a short speech explaining the values of the National Honor Society. During her presidential address, four students who symbolized the four pillars of what the NHS represents, lit candles as per tradition.

The four pillars were:

• Sadia Ahammad as “Scholarship”
• Teagan Connolly as “Leadership”
• Anthony Bruno as “Service”
• Marie Coatl-Camacho as “Character”

Afterwards, certificates and pins were handed out to honor the members and their achievements. The first pins went to the club officers, then the rest of the members. The NHS pledge was read aloud by Myess, followed by a speech by Charley Ruperto, the club advisor, and Diosbeni Rojas, the vice president.

Mr. Ruperto said the ceremony made him proud. “These things are not about me; it’s about the kids and that’s why I do it,” he said.

He said this ceremony was more special because of the circumstances. “We haven’t had an induction ceremony since the 2018-2019 school year,” he said. “These 26 members are the first ones we’ve had in the last nearly seven years.”

“I truly do wish I had more time to properly celebrate and honor the seniors,” he said. “My hands were tied with the timing. The induction ceremony was originally supposed to take place last month; the fact it got pushed as far as it did is just because of timing.”

Ruperto says he wishes he could have done more for the seniors who are only getting a glimpse of the new National Honor Society before graduating. However, “It gives me an overview for what to do next year, we got this off the ground finally and we know what to expect next year.”

To students who plan to join the National Honor Society, he says “Keep striving for greatness, keep working hard, you will now set the example for the new inductees.”

“You had to set the standard, you are the standard now, so be somebody that people can look up to. Be a safe space and be a beacon of inspiration for others.”