After having the past National Honor Society (NHS) inductions outside and socially distanced, Maclay was finally able to host the ceremony in the Cartee gym. Junior and senior inductees were in chairs along the gym floor while parents and supporting classmates watched the ceremony from the bleachers. Senior Meg Howell who is the co-president of NHS started the ceremony a few minutes after 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
The four qualities and reasons members are inducted to NHS is because they have characteristics that stand out in scholarship, leadership, service and character. Howell and co-president senior Oakley Deison took turns lighting a candle that represented each characteristic while explaining what each one means.
“I thought it went great,” Deison said. “I thought our guest speaker Dr. Kathy Levenson was amazing. I was very interested in learning about her path. Especially since I’m in the cusp of going into college myself.”
After Deison and Howell explained the four characteristics, they introduced Levenson, who went on to explain future plans and how they are likely to change. Her two main points for the inductees were to find an enjoyable career, and that it’s okay to be confused and not know what pathway to take in college or outside college. After Levenson spoke, the new members were officially inducted.
“I’m super honored and happy for all my classmates who were also inducted,” junior Maria Boulos said. “I’m really proud of them.”
To start the induction process, Howell asked all the juniors and seniors to recite a pledge after her. Once the pledge was recited, Howell announced all the new seniors who walked up to shake Mr. Beamer’s hand and receive their official NHS certificate. After the seniors, Deison announced the majority of inductees who were juniors. Once everyone received their certificate, NHS advisor Katy Gimbel concluded the ceremony and directed spectators and inductees to enjoy cookies and water to celebrate
“I think it went well,” Gimbel said. “It was nice to be back indoors so we are not fighting the outside elements. It was nice to see all the parents’ faces in the stands. [This year’s inductees] look like a very promising group. I think Dr. Levenson gave them a very relevant speech about their future and how to use the qualities of scholarship, leadership, service and character.”
The new NHS members must maintain 3.2 GPA and have a total of 144 or more service hours by their graduation date to uphold their responsibilities as a member and stay in the society.