ational Honors Society welcomed new juniors and honored departing seniors in a ceremony on Thursday, April 28, 2016.

AP Spanish teacher Ileana Padron, ASR and chemistry teacher Nena Tippens, and ASR and AP Biology teacher Jennifer Johnson, advisors of the club, gave the incoming juniors a certificate cementing their entrance into NHS, along with an identification card and a pin.

“It was a very important ceremony, because for the juniors it gives them an opportunity to see where they’re headed and reflect on what they’ve done, which is a lot,” Johnson said. “For the seniors, it allows them to reflect on where they’ve been and prepare themselves for moving forward in productive and exciting ways. This is also one of the first events that marks the steps towards graduation that feels tangible, like getting a stole. This ceremony helps with the excitement of graduation and moving forward in a way that’s very meaningful and exciting.”

Senior NHS officers president Gina Lee, vice presidents Ella Hasty and Joseph Fonseca, community service chair Christina Sorensen, and secretary Fatima Elfakahany made speeches on the core values of NHS: community, scholarship, leadership, and service.

“This ceremony helps recognize the accomplishments of those who have worked hard throughout high school,” Hasty said. “I was happy to see that NHS would be left in good hands, and really enjoyed the ceremony.”

Padron and Tippens called the juniors in alphabetical order, where they signed the NHS induction book and received their honors. The club inducted a total of 93 juniors, the most yet, all of whom achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.9 to receive the invitation.

“It was such a privilege to be recognized for all my educational achievements and honors,” junior Briana Anderson said. “I was very happy I was inducted into the club and that get to carry on what the seniors have done.”

Once the advisors called up all the juniors, they proceeded to honor the seniors, detailing all of their accomplishments over the past year.

“I really look forward to all the community service and fun activities we’ll be able to do to help our school, like the seniors were able to do,” junior Shelby Singleton said. “I’m excited to make our mark.”

The advisors then called up the seniors to receive their stoles, asking them to introduce themselves to the audience and which college they will attend.

“It felt good to finally receive our stoles,” senior NHS Historian Austin Birchell said. “I feel closer than ever to graduation, and I’m glad we’re leaving the club in capable hands.”

Once the ceremony ended around 7:00 pm, the new and old NHS members went to the cafeteria to feast upon the refreshments provided. Juniors and seniors alike congratulated each other on the achievements.

“I think the junior class has a lot of students dedicated to community service,” Johnson said. “They’ll work hard to reach similar goals to which the senior class has done, who have done innumerable good for so many people.”