Thirty-one students were inducted into the RHS chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) in a ceremony held in the high school auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
The 31 new members were selected out of nearly 200 applicants, a testament to the inductees’ commitment to scholarship and service. Applicants needed to maintain a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5, coupled with exceptional contributions in leadership, community service, and extracurricular engagement.
Organized by NHS Executive Board members Carly Ellermeyer, Morgan Heller, Tommy LaDieu, Shaelyn Brady, Kayla Pentz and Jack Manolis, and faculty advisor Sandra Kessell, the ceremony gave members of the Randolph community the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of some of its highest-achieving students.
During the ceremony, the inductees pledged to uphold the honor society’s four guiding principles—leadership, scholarship, service and character—joining established NHS members in a longstanding tradition of academic excellence and commitment to service.
The inductees chose Daniela Greenwood, a beloved English teacher at RHS, to deliver the guest speech. Known for her dedication to her students, Greenwood reflected on the pillars of NHS and how they extend beyond academic success.
“Of course, as an English teacher, my first thought was to turn to literature [for the examples in my speech], to discover and share tales of inspiration from the pages of great works of fiction,” Greenwood said to the students and families in attendance. “However, as I continued to reflect and draft, I realized, despite the meaningful lessons we learn from reading literature, these were not the examples I wanted to use tonight. In fact, the best examples I can think of to represent what these four pillars signify are right here in front of this stage with us—our students.”
In her speech, NHS President Carly Ellermeyer reminded the inductees that their membership in the honor society signified more than just academic excellence; members were also responsible for upholding the high standards of leadership, scholarship, character and service both in school and beyond. In addition, NHS members were expected to engage actively in community service projects, demonstrate moral character and serve as role models among their peers.
In her closing remarks, Ellermeyer emphasized the importance of each student’s commitment to embodying these values. “Being part of NHS is more than just a line on your resume,” she said. “It’s about choosing to make a difference, choosing to lead with integrity and embracing the chance to improve our school and our community. You embody the passion, diligence and empathy that the National Honor Society stands for. Each of you has chosen to commit yourselves to these pillars, not out of obligation but out of a deep-seated desire to make a positive impact.”
The event concluded with the inductees lighting candles and gathering together on the auditorium risers, creating a glowing picture of warmth and unity. With their candles held high, these 31 students were formally inducted into the NHS. This symbolic gesture, representing the light they aim to bring to their community, marked the beginning of a new journey for these young leaders. As the flames flickered, the audience was reminded of the strength of character and dedication that defined each of these students.
“I’m thrilled to participate in a society dedicated to the betterment of our community as a whole,” said senior inductee Cole Cabatic after the ceremony. “Being part of NHS means I get to work alongside my peers to give back to our school and town, which is something I’m passionate about.”
