Lakewood High School welcomed 65 new members into its chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) during an induction ceremony held Jan. 29 at the Lakewood Civic Auditorium.​

​The National Honor Society recognizes students who demonstrate strong leadership, scholarship, service and character. Lakewood’s chapter, established in 1921, has supported and recognized students for more than a century. Each year, between 40 and 70 students are inducted.

“I think this is a nice group [of inductees],” said Dayna Hansen, NHS Facility Advisor. “Everyone comes from different walks of life and different areas within the school — music, art, academics and sports. It’s a group that brings a lot of unique interests and experiences.”​

To apply to NHS students must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA and are required to fill out an application demonstrating how they meet the organization’s four pillars: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.​

“[In] every application … we look at their academics and all the information they’ve included, and then we offer them a decision and invite those who we would like to induct into the NHS,” said Hansen. Students who meet the expectations of the four pillars and are accepted into NHS attend an annual ceremony to be officially inducted in.

During the ceremony, current NHS members were given the responsibility to walk new inductees across the stage. This year’s ceremony included 65 inductees and 42 returning members, with family and friends in the audience to support them.

“Officers were in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly … [from] making sure pairings are in order [to] preparing acceptance envelopes,” said Gwen Hongosh, NHS secretary.

The ceremony started promptly at 7 p.m. with Connor Coleman, the NHS Sergeant of Arms, delivering the Pledge of Allegiance. From there, the NHS’s Facility Advisor Dayna Hansen delivered an opening speech outlining the ceremony and welcoming the inductees, facility and families.

Following her speech, NHS President Audrey McNulty addressed the expectations of NHS membership before introducing the evening’s guest speaker, Lakewood High School English teacher Kate Brady.

Brady delivered a brief speech recognizing the accomplishments of the new inductees. “I was really pleased by some of them, to see them get that honor, especially some of them that I had that weren’t necessarily AP and advanced students,” said Lakewood High School English Teacher Kate Brady. “I think that for me, those are the inductions that are the most exciting. Those students really go the extra mile.”

Following Brady’s speech, each current NHS student cabinet member delivered a speech highlighting one of the organization’s four pillars.​

Sergeant of Arms Connor Coleman delivered a speech about scholarship, speaking specifically to the high academic achievement needed to be considered for the NHS membership. NHS Secretary Gwen Hongosh followed with a speech on leadership, focusing on innovation, teamwork and positive change.

Treasurer of NHS Mel Diemert then discussed the importance of service, speaking to her own experiences of volunteering across the state as a member of a church group. Vice President Ceci Whitemire concluded the student speeches by addressing character and how life experiences help shape it.​

After each of the speeches, the speaker lit a commemorative candle, representing one of the pillars of NHS.

Once the speeches concluded, the induction of the new members began. Principal Joy Morgan introduced each of the 65 new members.

As their names were called, students crossed the stage accompanied by a current NHS member, shook hands with Hansen and Associate Principal Bridgette Firstenberger, received an NHS pin and stood on risers to await the pledge.

Despite the large number of inductees, the presentation moved efficiently. After all names were announced, the students recited the National Honor Society Pledge, officially welcoming them in as members of Lakewood’s NHS chapter.​

The ceremony concluded with closing remarks from Audrey McNulty. Following the event, many families stayed to take photos.

“I thought this year’s ceremony was really thoughtful,” Hansen said, “I thought we had a great guest speaker with Miss Brady, and then our student speakers were really thoughtful and creative. We had a great ceremony.”

Overall, this year’s NHS induction ceremony was an incredible experience for students and families alike. This is truly a special event for all who are involved, a major high school achievement for the students and families who were involved.

“I think that [the ceremony is] a really special moment,” Brady said, “and to see everyone at their best with their parents in the audience, it’s very nice.”