Video by Iris Gonzales
Dec. 13, 2018
By Andrew Palma
Staff Writer
Juniors and seniors gathered in the auditorium on Nov. 20 to attend the annual National Honor Society induction ceremony in which incoming and returning members were recognized and praised for the hard work and leadership they displayed throughout their high school careers.
First, select senior members of the NHS welcomed new members and discussed qualifications.
Next, inductees partook in the lighting of the candles that highlight the four pillars, which are key values of the NHS.
As each candle was lit, a current member of the Lyndhurst chapter read aloud the definition of one of those pillars. Then, NHS inductees received a lit candle, signed the NHS agreement and recited the NHS pledge.
Co-advisor Ms. Manzella said NHS is a selective organization. In order to be invited, students must meet specific requirements which include having a 3.7 GPA and enrollment in at least one academic honors or AP course. She said disciplinary and attendance records are also reviewed by herself and co-advisor Ms. Smietana.
“Students must show leadership, service by being active in your community, [and must] demonstrate character by being involved in two school activities,” Manzella said.
Junior applicants need to present six character references from teachers, and seniors must have nine character references.
Manzella said the final step in the admissions process is for a faculty council to meet and review students’ completed applications.
Manzella said it is never too early for a high school student to start thinking about NHS.
“It’s important that freshmen and sophomores prepare themselves because until junior year, they need to maintain their GPA of 3.7,” Manzella said.
One of the new inductees this year is junior Mikayla Poggi, who said she has been thinking about NHS since her freshman year.
“I wanted to join NHS because I feel like it is such a great community to be a part of when it comes to entering junior year,” Poggi said.
When it came time for her to work on her application, Poggi said the best part was gathering her letters of recommendation.
“I asked Coach Dellosa, Ms. Wise, Mr. Carucci, Mr. Newman, Mrs. Huntington and Mrs. Ruiz,” Poggi said. “They have been so supportive of me throughout my high school career.”
Poggi said she was excited to learn that she was accepted to be a part of such a prestigious group.
“I felt really proud because all my hard work is paying off,” Poggi said.
Poggi said she wants to continue challenging herself during her final two years of high school.
“I hope to accomplish becoming a better leader and to become more involved in the school,” Poggi said.
Senior Katelyn Peterson, who is a returning member, said seeing all the new members being inducted reminded her of her own experiences being inducted last year.
“I was honored to be a part of the NHS. My favorite part of my NHS ceremony was [receiving] my candle and walking up on stage to sign the book,” Peterson said.
Peterson said she is happy to be part of NHS because she likes taking on a leadership role and helping her community.
“I enjoy giving my time to help out younger kids, and being in this program will help me with my college application,” Peterson said. “Being in it makes me feel so proud of myself.”
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