Ten high school students were recognized for outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, Christian character, and service at a March 16 induction ceremony for the National Honor Society held in the ACS gym. The ceremony marked the 11th anniversary of high school students being inducted into the NHS since ACS established its chapter in 2012.
The students inducted into the National Honor Society were: 10th graders Isabell Alford, Rebecca DiMaio, Aine Dorsey, Sophia Johnson, Joshua Merlino, Alek Stein, and Taylor Sutton; and 12th graders Daniella Ajayi, Madelynne DeNick, and Thomas Ellison, Jr. DiMaio was unable to attend the ceremony due to illness.
Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen welcomed some 60 family members, faculty, and guests to the ceremony. She congratulated the inductees for their commitment and hard work and offered a prayer of blessing over them. For membership in the NHS, students in the 10th-12th grades must have an outstanding academic record, with a 3.6 minimum GPA, and excel in leadership, Christian character, and service.
Guidance counselor Christina Ragland, the NHS chapter advisor, and 12th grader Reyna Lewis, president of the chapter, led the students through the various parts of the induction ceremony, which included reciting the Honor Society pledge, signing the official chapter registry, and lighting a votive candle. Upper School Principal Meg McHale presented each inductee with their society membership certificate.
Senior members of both ACS chapters also participated in the programs, speaking about the spiritual significance of each of the Honor Society’s four principles. The student participants in the NHS ceremony were: Alicia O’Donnell (on scholarship); Cruz Lewis (on leadership); Ryleigh Martin (on Christian character); and Paige Noble (on service).
High school Bible teacher Urick Lewis was the guest speaker at the ceremony and congratulated the students for attaining such a significant level of excellence. “Excellence isn’t what you do, excellence is who you are,” Lewis said. He shared a message from Daniel 6, encouraging the inductees to stay true to God’s Word and allow their faith to guide everything they do. “Don’t use someone else’s ruler to measure your excellence, but strive to bring excellence because you serve an excellent God,” Lewis said.
