On February 11, 2026, students, teachers, and families gathered in the auditorium of Academy for Young Writers for the National Honor Society (NHS) induction ceremony. The event honored students who have shown excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The night highlighted not just academic success, but the strong sense of community within the school.
The ceremony recognized students who worked hard to earn their place in NHS. According to NHS advisor and English teacher Mr. H, being inducted shows “a maturity level and a responsibility in order to move further in your academic progress.” He explained that the event is important because “it recognizes high achievers, and it shows an appreciation for those that dedicate so much time for academic success.” When asked to describe NHS in one word, he chose “love,” explaining, “We are our own community. We’re like our own little family. And you can’t have a family without love.”
Over the years, the ceremony has grown, with more student involvement and leadership speeches becoming part of the tradition. Mr. H shared that it “has grown so much with the experience, the speakers, the performances, the members, the involvement of the current members.” He also noted that qualities that stood out most about this year’s inductees were “their confidence, their commitment,” and the “joy” they brought into their interviews.
NHS President and senior Dayoina Singh shared that serving as president means “taking initiative when needed.” She explained that leadership has taught her how to step up and adapt, saying leadership means “being able to be adaptable when things change, knowing when to take initiative.” After not earning a leadership role at first, she stayed motivated and worked her way up to president. “I didn’t let that discourage me,” Dayoina said. She hopes NHS continues to focus on community service and helping members grow as leaders. When describing NHS in one word, she said, “Shining.. every student who is a member of National Honor Society deserves to be there.”
New inductee and junior Sarai Patterson said she felt “really excited” when she found out she was accepted. After missing eligibility before by just one GPA point, she worked hard to improve. “It was a long time coming,” she said. Sarai said NHS means “a community that can help me excel and help me be a better person.” She is looking forward to service projects and new opportunities, adding that leadership means “helping out my community in any way possible and standing up when nobody else is.”
Overall, the February 11th ceremony was more than just a celebration of grades. It was a reminder that hard work, leadership, and community matter. As Mr. H said, students inducted into NHS bring “confidence and the presence that they bring into a room,” qualities that will continue to shape both the school and the world beyond it.
