The Brother J. Richard Rush Chapter of the National Honors Society, also known as NHS, is a prestigious organization known all over the world for highlighting students who show the most academic achievement in their school. These students that are handpicked go through a rigorous process to see if they embody the four pillars- scholarship, service, leadership, and character. On November 9th, 2021, in the Hilton Commons at De La Salle Institute, students gathered for the first time in almost two years for their induction ceremony. Vice President Isabella Brogan, new inductee Kennedi Knight, and current member Kenneth Clayton had different yet exciting experiences in this ceremony.
As Vice President of National Honors Society, senior Isabella Brogan, has a huge responsibility that comes with having this office. Not only is she a role model for National Honors Society, but she has to assist the president in any way she/he may ask. As Vice President, Brogan has a main focus on scholarship and service. When applying into National Honors Society, the work done outside of school matters just as much as what is done inside. Willingness to succeed in representing the school through service work around the city is considered in the application and highlighted in the ceremony by the Vice President. “At this induction I wanted to do my job in making it special since majority of the students in our chapter have never been to an actual induction ceremony…,” said Brogan.
As a new inductee, senior Kennedi Knight got her spotlight during this induction. As a new inductee it is tradition to recite the purpose and duty of being in National Honors Society. Along with that, new members receive a certificate for their hard work. Being able to walk across the stage and show everyone the worthiness of being in this organization is a rewarding feeling after working so hard. “When I was applying for NHS, I was terrified that I wouldn’t get in. Since this is my last year at De La Salle, I’m glad I was able to receive a memento for my perseverance in my studies,” said Knight. Now that Knight is officially in the organization, she can serve as a role model to other students.
Majority of the current members of National Honors Society have all experienced an in-person induction since the last was able to be held during the 2018-2019 school year. This was right before the pandemic hit and caused De La Salle to transform to fully remote and hybrid school schedules. Kenneth Clayton, a senior at De La Salle, was inducted during his sophomore year and received an in-person induction. “It is crazy to see so many members just now experiencing their first induction ceremony. I am glad they will get the recognition they deserve for all their hard work,” said Clayton.
Ceremonies such as the National Honors Society Induction are moments that were taken away from many students due to COIVD-19. These ceremonies are meant for students to have a motivation to display how much they have achieved during their time at De La Salle. During the pandemic, the induction was forced to be held on Zoom which felt much more impersonal. Students and staff are very grateful that everyone was able to be in person and partake in a ceremony awarding the students who are excelling at De La Salle. Congratulations to all the inductees!
