Filling the room with excited murmurs and dress clothes, National Honor Society (NHS) inductees and their families were ushered into the cafeteria on Thursday, Oct. 12. 

The NHS ceremony started with a presentation of the colors by the ROTC, followed by speeches from President Anetta Davioli ‘24, sponsor Mr. Tyler Shaw, and Principal Ms. Erin Campbell about what it means to be a member of NHS. 

“Just being able to see everybody who’s going to be a part of the chapter with you [is] a very powerful message, especially [at] Westwood,” Vice President Kate Ren ‘24 said. “It’s just a way to notice the community around you and it’s a commitment to our school’s academic achievements.” 

The speeches were followed by a candle lighting ceremony that honored the four pillars of NHS: service, character, scholarship, and citizenship.

“The candle lighting ceremony is just to recognize that this flame within you [has] been lit, like now you have to pursue them in the way that you would anything else,” Ren said. 

Then, the inductees crossed the stage wearing NHS cords as each name was called.

“The most special part was getting the cord on and then walking across the stage because it kind of solidified like, ‘Wow, I did it. I made it in,’” inductee Ella Mills ‘24 said.

The ceremony ended with the new members pledging to uphold the values of the organization.

“I’m very proud of myself that I was able to get into NHS in high school, especially with [the] past three years of struggle. It just feels really gratifying,” Mills said.