On Dec. 6, Seneca hosted the 16th Annual Induction Ceremony.
Scholarship. Service. Leadership. Character.
Those are the four pillars of a National Honor Society member.
As an organization that has been honoring students since 1921, NHS welcomed 71 Seneca High School students at the 16th Annual Induction Ceremony on Dec. 6.
“It’s more than just an honor roll. Each of you have demonstrated that you excel outside of the classroom and beyond the bricks and mortar of Seneca High School,” Superintendent Carol Birnbohm said. “You should be proud of what you had to do to get inducted into the National Honor Society.”
Students are required to maintain a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.250 or weighted GPA of 4.875 to fulfill the scholarship pillar of NHS. Vice president of NHS Colin Boisvert said that the meaning of the scholarship pillar is more than just the letters on a report card, and that it represents passion and dedication to learning new things, working hard and will ultimately set students up for a bright future.
To fulfill the service pillar, junior inductees need to have 40 community service hours by the beginning of junior year and senior inductees need to have 60 hours by the beginning of their senior year. Service secretary Jaimi Araujo said their willingness to help others without recognition or gratitude will strengthen the community they live in.
As far as the leadership pillar, corresponding secretary Gus Van Walsen said that each student demonstrated unique qualities that classified them as leaders. They have taken initiative through a position as team captain, through classroom activities or through work or activities outside of Seneca.
Similarly, recording secretary Jonah Mikulski said there was not one specific trait that allowed them to fulfill the character pillar of NHS. He said that the way each student conducts themselves every day has impacted those around them in a positive manner. He hopes that they will continue to develop their character through future experiences.
Junior inductee Nikole Russek hopes to use this opportunity to become a role model to younger students interested in becoming a member of NHS, and to guide them on the path to making the right decisions throughout their lives.
“It just means a lot to me to be a part of this because when I was little and I heard about people being in the National Honor Society, it was something I could look up to and now that I’m here I’m really proud of myself,” Russek said. “All my hard work has paid off.”
Inductee Sophia Cino was introduced to NHS through her older brother who was a member.
“I knew how much hard work goes into it and it’s something that I’ve always strived for because I want to showcase how hard I can work and how much I can achieve,” Cino said.
She is most looking forward to getting more involved with the community, specifically through service work within the school district.
The hope of Birnbohm and Principal Jeff Spector is that each student will carry these traits throughout their Seneca career and the rest of their lives.
“To our students who are being inducted tonight, I would like to congratulate you for being selected,” Spector said. “I would also like to express my admiration for your commitment to excellence, you have made your family and your school and your principal proud.”
