The Freeport High School chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) welcomed 73 new members to its ranks with a ceremony that included well-earned accolades, words of inspiration, the requisite candle lighting and oath, and a celebration with family and friends.
"You have shown great achievement, perseverance and scholarship. Welcome to the club!" said NHS chapter president Isaiah Barnes in his address to the inductees. The Freeport High School chapter already listed 82 current members prior to the ceremony, so this new wave of inductees nearly doubled the size of the group. "These students are the best that Freeport High School has to offer," acknowledged Freeport High School NHS advisor Eileen Shultis. "You are the school's academic varsity team."
A candle lighting ceremony that explained the core values of the National Honor Society opened the way for the newest inductees to traverse the stage to receive their medals and congratulations. "You are on the right path. You have been doing the right job in the realms of scholarship, leadership and service," stated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham as he shared words of congratulations, wisdom and life-guiding philosophy.
Dr. Kuncham was later invited to lead the inductees in their National Honor Society oath. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the festivities continued into the cafeteria for celebratory snacks.
The National Honor Society is an international recognition program for high school students. Students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship are considered for membership. It is estimated that over one million students - 155 of them from Freeport High School - participate in the NHS program.