On October 22nd, 2024, The Morgan School held a ceremony where 18 students were inducted into the National Honors Society, an elite group of students chosen based on their academic and community values.
The induction was held in the Morgan auditorium at 6pm, where current president Angelie Jaramillo-Navas was asked to open the ceremony, as 4 other senior NHS members were asked to speak on the four pillars of the society: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. Katie Nguyen, Nina Fishman, Olivia Ruotolo, and Mason Jakober represented these four pillars, explaining to the inductees the importance of these core values based on the requirements of the National Honors Society. These values and the pillars are more than just a report card, or a fancy title, and are much more than just simply meeting requirements. According to the NHS, this program empowers, champions, and recognizes well-rounded students, providing schools with a values-based framework to elevate a culture of change by applying these pillars to their daily lives inside and outside an academic setting.
Before being inducted, the candidates were required to apply with a list of community service hours, letter of recommendation, and personal essay explaining their commitment to the society while having a standing 3.75 GPA or higher. These students were also chosen based on their dedication and contribution to the four pillars.
When looking into the student applications, NHS Advisor, Kelly Gilbert stated that during the selection process, “…you get scores based on what you included in your application, which is completely anonymous… Having a level of commitment to the service you do is extremely important, which relates to your character pillar. The essay the candidate writes speaks on how they apply themselves to the pillars, which then gets them the determining score. The letter of reference serves as a point to speak about all the pillars and as a supporting voice of the service the student involves themselves in.”
Being a part of this society isn’t a minor accomplishment. It is something to be extremely proud of on a national level, only around 30% of national applicants getting accepted each year. Mrs. Gilbert stated, “It’s the oldest, most prestigious student recognition program in the country with extremely high standards… Those students who get in should be insanely proud of themselves for all the amazing accomplishments that they have achieved.” To be among the NHS is to be among people who do better for their community and the world around them beyond the walls of Morgan.
Since 1921, founder Dr. Edward Ryerson saw a future in this organization that would recognize the achievements of the young minds in the nation. Senior inductee, Alyssa Aiken, said she is “…extremely grateful for this opportunity of getting inducted, and I’m glad I’m able to be recognized for how hard I have worked in my school and outside career.”
Congratulations to the Fall Inductees for this incredible academic and civil achievement.
