During a traditional induction ceremony, seven Salem Central School District students were welcomed to the National Honor Society in front of friends, family, and the teachers who guided them to this point.
“A lot of teachers really helped me to put myself out there, like Mrs. Perkins, Mrs. McPhee, and my primary grade teachers like Mrs. Russo,” shared new inductee Riley Gallagher, a junior at Salem Jr/Sr High School.
Mrs. Carol McPhee and Mrs. Vicki Perkins advise the Salem National Honor Society (NHS) chapter. One of the oldest and most recognized student organizations, NHS selects new members each year. Several Salem staff members were inducted into the chapter when they were students at Salem Washington Academy, including Salem teacher Frank Fronhofer, who spoke during the ceremony.
“There is probably nothing that I believe in more than working hard,” he said. “On the wrestling team we have a mantra: Show up every day. Do the work. It isn’t really about wrestling, it is about life.”
The new inductees, Riley Gallagher, Connor Gillis, Phaeton Havens, Jackson Kirchner, Charlotte Rishell, Jack Sweenor, and Stephen Yakubec, have certainly done the work to achieve this honor.
“I found out I was chosen for the NHS about two weeks ago. This has shown me that hard work actually pays off," Gillis said.
New inductees confirmed their membership by signing their names in the same book that the teachers who inspired them to achieve signed.
To be considered for NHS, students must maintain an average GPA of 87.5% or higher, participate in school extracurricular activities, demonstrate a commitment to community service, and submit an essay expressing their interest to the school staff.