National Honors Society (NHS) is a faculty-sponsored program for high school juniors and seniors who excel in the four basic criteria: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Juniors and seniors are invited to apply to the program after meeting specific academic requirements. After that, the students complete an application detailing their service and leadership experiences, as well as write an essay which is reviewed by the NHS committee. The students who meet the specific academic, extracurricular, service, and leadership requirements then are inducted into the program.

Last year, the new inductees’ NHS pins were dropped off at students’ homes due to COVID, but this year the new inductees experienced a proper NHS pinning ceremony: the new inductees were called to the library at the beginning of first period November 19 and were pinned by a current member of the program. NHS members then shared breakfast with faculty sponsors, Mrs. Kristina Graham and Ms. Brittany Coleman, as well as some of the administration.

“It is an honor to be inducted into such a prestigious organization alongside my fellow classmates,” said new inductee junior Caden Biela.

November 23 held the induction ceremony. Beaver Area’s NHS president Krystof Purtell, vice president Elizabeth Dacanay, secretary Madison Flaugh, treasurer Ryan Kenney, historian Fiona Rubino, and parliamentarian Emma Schaller of the program reviewed the four basic criteria, scholarship, leadership, service, and character after lighting a candle designated to each one. Afterward, the new inductees said the NHS pledge before being called onto the stage to sign their names in the NHS book.

After the book signing, the new inductees, their families, members of the staff, and guests listened to the guest speaker, Mr. Gregory Inge, and following Mr. Inge’s speech, closing remarks and congratulations from the new Assistant Principal, Mrs. Michelle Murphy.

“It was great to be able to walk across the stage and listen to all the speeches with my friends,” said new inductee junior Ella Andrew.

Congratulations to the new NHS inductees!

Seniors: Issac Carson, Cameron Crivelli, Hannah Hartle, Anika Katkich, Sara Majors, Connor Masters, Luke Masters, Larisa May, Julia Pizzella, Nick Raegler, Wyatt Ringer, Sheridan Springman, Shannon Witkouski, and Delaney Young.

Juniors: Ella Andrew, Ana Avdellas, Caden Biela, Alexander Duzicky, Micheal Green, Rachael Lamb, Gary Liu, Abby Noah, Madeline O’Leary, Ella Peluso, Jack Ray, Brandon Suhayda, Alex Tomalski, Luke Tomalski, and Dylan Young.

NHS members meet regularly throughout the school year, offer academic tutoring, and participate in the school’s backpacks program which provides food to financially struggling students and their families.