On Nov. 1, members of the classes of 2024 and 2025 were inducted into the National Honors Society (NHS). Senior officers Kaitlyn Calland, Kent Holcombe, Stella Manns, and Korynn Sims spoke at the induction ceremony.
Calland is the president of the club, and to prepare for the ceremony she “reviewed and made adjustments to the script used for the ceremony” to ensure “the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character,” were emphasized.
Beginning “with a procession of the NHS inductees,” according to Calland, the ceremony began promptly. Principal Mr. Brian Pawlicki “gave a speech about the role and importance of the NHS and its values at North Harford,” Calland added.
“The officers then each discussed the four pillars, lighting candles to signify each one, with knowledge encompassing all four,” says Calland. Finally, the inductees were then announced by Calland, while the other officers prepared to have the new inductees sign the NHS book, and receive a cord and a candle.
Junior and inductee Brooke McElwain enjoyed “being able to be inducted with a lot of [her] friends” in the same year. As a new member of the club, she is “most looking forward to being more involved in the school.”
Agreeing with her fellow inductee, junior Lilly Heath is “looking forward to helping the other people in [the] community” through the NHS.
Tutoring coordinator Sims expressed she had two favorite parts of the ceremony. Sims was stationed to help the inductees sign the NHS book, so she enjoyed “watching everyone sign their names,” and also “watching [Manns] try and light the candles” in between the officers’ speeches.
Calland’s favorite part of the ceremony was “when the names were read recognizing each of the inductees.” Since “becoming a member of NHS takes a lot of hard work,” Calland “was very glad to see each student individually recognized for the dedication they have put in to become a member of the highly regarded society.”
Not only does the NHS “offer an opportunity to recognize the highly gifted and hardworking students at [NH], but it gives an opportunity to these students to use their knowledge,” Calland added. Through an after-school tutoring program, offered weekly, students are able to have “one-on-one assistance” from NHS members, she said.
