The National Honors Society, or NHS, is a prestigious student organization based in service. On Monday Sept. 29, the Rutherford B. Hayes chapter of this group saw the induction of their new class of students for the 2025-2026 year.
This year, they had a remarkable number of new members, with 52 students inducted from the senior and junior classes.
“Our future is very bright,” chapter president Hannah McAllister said. “There are a lot of young members… [and] it is a bunch of groups of people, and everyone brings something different.”
More than twice the number of new members were inducted compared to the previous year. This increase shows great promise for the upcoming year.
NHS members are students considered to be some of the best of their peers. Criteria for application includes being an upperclassman, a GPA over 3.5, at least ten hours of preexisting service, less than three days of unexcused absences and recommendation from teachers at the school.
It also includes a short personal statement highlighting the student’s leadership ability. This exemplifies the high standards that the organization holds.
“[Applying] was kind of stressful,” new NHS member Conrad Wadkins said. “It’s just a really prestigious group, and it’s a stressful thing to try out for.”
Once students finish their applications, the information is received by an anonymous group of teachers before admission announcements are sent out to students.
“It was a real joy to get into the group after working so hard for three years for it,” Wadkins said.
The induction ceremony itself highlights each student and their respective teacher mentor as they are officially welcomed into the organization.
NHS officers, elected second year students, introduce the program, and light symbolic candles. Students sign into a roll book and end the ceremony with the pledge of the NHS.
Once inducted, students are responsible for continuing with the expectations of the group. For each semester enrolled, students are required to complete at least ten hours of group and individual community service.
“It’s another thing on my workload to get the service hours done and to get everything I need to stay in the group,” Wadkins said.
With so many new members, Hayes’ NHS program has the potential to reach and support more of those in the community of Delaware. McAllister said she looks forward to seeing a spreading of positivity to all those who they can reach.
Overall, the NHS aims to support their four pillars, those represented by the candles in the ceremony: scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Each student inducted has been admitted with these in mind.
“We all want to make a difference,” McAllister said. “And I think that I want to see… small things that are going to change, that I think will turn into big things.”
