On October 30th, letters of admittance to the National Honors Society were made available to successful applicants. The Society is now home to 34 new members: Melanie Applegate, Benjamin Bingman, Mackenzie Braitman, Gabriella Brauning, Isabel Brodsky, Calee Burke, Aubrey Calhoun, John Code, Makayla Comer, Gabriel Contreras, Konnor Dodson, Dean Evangelista, Owen Furry, Sophia Gagliardi, Jaffar Haidary, Griffin Hench, Jocelyn Hernandez, Elizabeth Iferd, Lauren Kelley, Vivian Lewis, Faith May, Grace May, Hadley McQuay, Hannah Mosiychuk, Elizabeth Schuebel, Connor Smith, Addison Smith, Blake Smith, Keelyn Swaney, Joey Thornton, Nora Weaver, Zo Wetzel, Emily Wetzel, and Zachary Williams. Each of these inductees were selected for the Society based on their exceptional performance in service, academics, and leadership. On November 11th, new and returning members of the National Honors Society gathered in the CHS auditorium for a 6PM induction ceremony. The ceremony was completely free and available to all members of the local community, including the friends and family members of the new inductees. One of CHS’ Visual Arts teachers, Mrs. Theresa Hutchinson, photographed the entire event and supplied the picture attached to this article.
The event began with a statement from Mrs. Olivia Aungst, the advisor of Catoctin’s National Honors Society. In this opening statement, she introduced the four pillars of NHS: “…The National Honor Society looks upon education as a combination of four things of life: character, scholarship, leadership, and service.” Returning members of the National Honors Society—Tatiana Owens, Jared Turner, Olivia Baker, Lillian Grable, Claire Daly, El Hossain, and Faith Harty—also attended and helped to lead the ceremony. The scholars introduced the different tenants of the society, each represented by candles.
The unofficial fifth tenant of NHS, knowledge, was introduced first by Tatiana Owens: “In the center of the table is a lighted candle representing knowledge. Knowledge is familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study.” All members of the National Honors Society hold knowledge, cultivated from their life experiences. This knowledge isn’t exclusive to academic understanding. Other areas of knowledge are admirable and necessary to succeed as an NHS scholar.
Jared Turner proceeded to explain the first of four official NHS principles, scholarship:
“Scholarship means a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend hours in reading and study, knowing the lasting benefits of a cultivated mind.” How is scholarship different from knowledge? While knowledge is comprehension, scholarship is the drive to comprehend. No NHS inductee is a natural at every subject or unit they’re faced with. For example, some students are strong English students but struggle when it comes to mathematics. Scholarship isn’t about being naturally intelligent, but about putting forth a consistent effort in order to succeed.
Olivia Baker touched on the second principle, service, and its role in admittance to the National Honors Society, service: “In the routine of the day’s work, many opportunities arise to help others. Willingness to work for the benefit of those in need, without monetary compensation or recognition, is the quality we seek in our membership.” Members of the society are required to complete 18 hours of service each school year, or 9 hours of service per semester. This is because NHS scholars are expected to serve as school leaders—at least of their graduating classes—and the best leaders dedicate themselves to community servitude. Students have many opportunities to give back to their community, and NHS members take full advantage of those opportunities.
Tatiana Owens stepped up to the microphone for a second time to speak on the third principle, leadership: “Leadership should exert a wholesome influence on the school. In taking the initiative in class and school activities, the real leader strives to train and aid others to attain the same objective.” In other words, a good leader takes charge and brings people together. I’ve learned about historical leaders who have accomplished this feat, but I’ve also seen my peers do it. Blake Smith is Catoctin’s FFA President, MacKenzie Braitman is the Colorguard Captain, Zachary Williams is a member of the Yearbook Leadership Team, and Jaffar Haidary is the SGA and Junior Club Treasurer. For high school students, few honors are greater than leadership titles such as these ones. They reward our hard work as driven students.
Lillian Grable announced the final principle, character: “Character is the force within each individual which distinguishes that person from others. It gives each one individuality…Character is achieved and not received. It is the product of constant action, daily striving to make the right choice.” The other tenants of the society—scholarship, service, and leadership—are the backbone of this fourth tenant. Those with strong character dedicate themselves to their work, volunteer their time to others, and aren’t scared to take the lead. NHS scholars are expected to navigate life with a sturdy moral compass. After all, they’re the humanitarians of tomorrow.
Faith Harty then introduced Principal Jennifer Clements, who spoke kindly of the new inductees and led them through the NHS pledge. Afterwards, each inductee got their moment in the spotlight as they collected their certificates and shared inspirational quotes of their choosing.
Finally, El Hossain welcomed Ms. Catherine Davis onstage. Each year, Catoctin’s National Honors Society selects one staff member to speak at the ceremony and accept honorary admittance to the society. El read, “Ms. Davis is one of our exceptional teachers here at Catoctin High School. She is an engaging and passionate English teacher who provides students with great feedback and a welcoming classroom environment.” In her remarks, Ms. Davis told the story of her junior year of high school, when she finally started to enjoy English class. She offered her advice to the new members of the National Honors Society and expressed a deep sense of gratitude for her career and students.
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, NHS’ newest members and their families flooded into the lobby for free cake and ice cream (with optional chocolate syrup and sprinkles, of course!). The event was a complete, celebratory success and the Catoctin Chronicle would like to congratulate all new members of the society!
