The National Honor Society began the conclusion of the 2018-19 school year and also introduced the upcoming academic year with their annual induction ceremony. Held in Prep’s H. David Bowes Auditorium, NHS introduced a total of 69 new members into the organization. With 38 students from Prep and 31 students from Villa, this year’s ceremony was the first joint event held by both Prep and Villa NHS members.

All individual inducted into the organization were recognized based on the way they have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character, as highlighted by the organization’s mission statement. As the ceremony began, Villa’s Grace DiGiamico opened with a warm welcome to all attendees. Following the opening, Prep NHS president Jared Lichtinger delivered the opening prayer. As a part of the Prep and Villa tradition, it is always important to include the faith aspect into all things.

As the ceremony proceeded, the candle lighting began, followed by the NHS emblems and colors, all completed by a few of the highest-ranked members. Following the introductory events, Mr. Pituch announced all 69 of the new members. Each new member was given a yellow flower as well as their NHS lapel pins. Once each new member was given their pin, Grace made her triumphant return to the stage to formally induct the new members with the NHS pledge.

“Being aware of the honor which is being bestowed upon me. By my election to membership in the National Honor Society I do hereby pledge loyalty to this organization. It shall be my earnest purpose to give unsparingly of my time and energy toward the promotion of all school activities. I will strive to be at all times a model student and will never knowingly bring reproach upon my school. I pledge myself to uphold the high purpose of this society to which I have been elected, striving in every way, by word and deed to make its ideals the ideals of my school and my life.” 

Once each new member was formally inducted by reciting the pledge, the ceremony was concluded with an angelic closing prayer delivered by Michael Borowicz. Following the grand finale of a closing prayer, all members were welcomed down into the cafeteria for snacks and drinks to end the night. When asked about the ceremony itself, member and candle-lighter Sean Hart said, “I’ve been in NHS for the past two years, and it’s honestly sad to see it virtually come to an end. I really like the idea of having a single ceremony, with both Prep and Villa members, because it really does show our unity as one. I hope these new members can continue to do great things with NHS, and I wish them the best of luck with their endeavors.”