Congratulations to the newest inductees into the Walt Whitman High School chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS)! The Performing Arts Center was filled with proud families and faculty on June 1st as 185 students were officially installed–marking one of the largest groups of NHS inductees at Whitman in recent years.

Academically eligible students in grades 10, 11, and 12–those who maintain a cumulative average of 90% or higher–are invited to apply for membership after they are evaluated by faculty on the remaining criteria, including community service. Students who apply are then evaluated by the selection committee. A majority vote of the committee is required to admit a new member.

While academic excellence is a core requirement, becoming a member of the NHS takes more than just good grades. During the candlelight induction ceremony, chapter officers reminded the inductees of the four pillars that define an NHS member: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. 

NHS Faculty Advisor Ms. Caren Gonzalez also emphasized the weight of this new responsibility. “You will take a pledge tonight, and I want you to remember this pledge as you embark on your final year at Walt Whitman High School. The responsibilities that you have are to maintain academic success, guard your character, to maintain your status as a leader, and to continue to serve your community,” she said.

The central theme of Principal Dr. John Murphy’s keynote address was perseverance. “In many ways, perseverance is the thread that ties together all four of the National Honor Society pillars. It is the quality that allows people to continue moving forward despite any obstacles, doubts, or even at times fear. It is the quality that separates those who simply wish for success from those who are willing to work for it,” said Dr. Murphy.

After receiving their certificates, each new member was personally congratulated by school board members and administrators before signing the official NHS chapter register and posing for a photo.

The evening concluded with the announcement of the NHS officer board for the upcoming school year:

• President: Dua Amer
• Vice President: Landon Forlenza
• Secretary: Alexis Blain
• Treasurer: Kaylah White
• GSO Representative: Valeri Lara Ordonez

 

Congratulations to our newest National Honor Society members and their families on this prestigious achievement!

Emma Abrescia, Edis Aguilar Guardado, Emely Aguilar Ortiz, Maham Ahmad, Zarar Ahmed, Dodge Alahverdian, Sara Alas Castillo, Maleah Alleyne, Kassandra Alvarado, Dua Amer, Gabriella Andersen, Abigail Andreoni, Ethan Arroyo, Fernando Ascencio Luna, Julian Ayala, Suraj Balu, Jaylin Barquero Garcia, Cesanyoly Bautista, Sabrina Beck, Miles Berman, Pierce Bernard, Stephanie Biangasso, Jack Biblow, Lilah Black, Alexis Blain, Ella Brenner, Morgan Brun, Derek Busch, Christopher Cabal, Christopher Caiazzo, Gwendolyn Carfora, Daniel Casey, Jacobo Castano Ramirez, Frank Cavallone, Naomi Chavez, Marcus Chen, Numayer Choudhury, Erica Chung, Justin Cristello, Luke Crocco, Angela Curiel Rodriguez, Giuliana D'Antoni, Isabella David, Derek Davis, Andie DeVinney, Selina Dong, Lillian Dwyer, Michael Eastwood, Parker Eisner, Gianna Espinal, Sarai Estrada Torres, Ethan Ewart, Layla Ezzat, Maeve Fallon, Michael Ferdinando, Bernardo Fernandez Valenzuela, Isabella Fiorelli, Lucas Flores, Shastelyn Flores Granados, Scarlett Folk, Landon Forlenza, Allison Franco, Reece Fullerton, Julissa Galdames Sorto, Angelo Galindo, Thomas Galvin, Keiry Garay Portillo, Mariana Garcia, Amy Garrido Mejia, Benjamin Glassmann, Tyler Goldfarb, Christopher Gomez, Keylen Gomez Quintanilla, Amy Gonzalez, Pamela Gonzalez, Molly Gorman, Sarah Guzman Nunez, Sydney Henkel, Tyler Holzweiss, Stephanie Ideyi, Anna Iemma, John Iemma, Taylor Imhof, Romaan Iqbal, Emma Jacoutot, Rosemary Joya, Jazmynn Julien, Abigail Kaloo, Xavier Keith, Priscilla Kenny, Ayan Khan, Alex Kirin, Alexis Koffer, Victoria Krywak, Valeri Lara Ordonez, Cooper Lee, Garrick Lo, Maeve Lynch, Katherine Macaluso, Brooke Maiorana, Amber Manieri, John Mannino, Isabella Manzanares, Eva Marichal Umpierrez, Ashley McNally, Michael McGuinness, Andrea Medina Granados, Jennifer Mendez Cuellar, Eren Mo, Yaseen Modaser, Amanda Moffett, Katia Mojica Rivera, Jamie Molina, Rozlyn Montesdeoca, Jordan Morales Moreira, Lesaraniqua Morton-Phipps, Aniyah Mubasher, Rehan Naseer, Connor Neri, Natalie Newman, Chelsea Nunez, Kaylee O’Brien, Jack O’Connor, Maeve O’Connor, Emma O’Reilly, Janelle Palencia, Ariana Palma Pleitez, Preston Park, Ishe Patel, Ashley Paz Guillermo, Ludmery Perez Valenzuela, Thomas Pignatelli, Jonathan Ponce, Valerie Ponce Ulloa, Thomas Principe, Francesco Pugliese, Suhani Rahman, Kevin Ramirez Garcia, Amanda Ratchford, Akifa Razzaq, Erick Recinos Melgar, Jaime Reyes Canales, Kevin Reyes Lazo, Madison Richter, Josue Rivera, Julissa Rivera Rivera, Nathalie Robson, Alexandra Rojas, Dylan Rojas, Darlyn Rosales Barahona, Maya Rowser, Jordin Rubin, Ryan Sakayan, Srivarsha Sampeta, Alexandra Samuel, Kyle Schreiber, Stanley Seifried, Jeremy Shaikh, Emily Sharp, Sophia Sharpe, Rebeca Sorto Alfaro, Andrew Steenson, Melissa Stuyvesant, Eddy Michel Taku, Kiernan Tardieu, Olivia Tintera, Lucas Tonna, Timothy Treubig, Jack Tripoli, Evan Tso, Caroline Tulipano, Janzy Umanzor Villalta, Connor Umstead, Sophia Valle, Gabriella Varellas, Rubi Velasquez, Magali Velasquez Vilorio, Aileen Villalta, Brandon Villatoro Fuentes, Jason Wang, Kaylah White, Hayli Wuss, Emely Yanes Rivera, Austin Yudin, Max Zhang 

 

 

**Photo Gallery**

 

National Honor Society President Ryan Yuen addressed his peers alongside faculty advisor Mrs. Gonzalez. 

 

Current officers announced next year's NHS officers at the conclusion of the ceremony. Seen here is Kaylah White, the NHS Treasurer for 2026/2027.

 

 

Following the induction, students and their families were welcomed to the high school's South Cafe for pictures and refreshments.