The National Honor Society Class of 2022 was inducted on Wed, Nov. 10. The event took place in the auditorium where 70 students were inducted.

The ceremony was led by two seniors and started with NHS Vice President Kirsten Nicolas, leading the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. NHS Secretary Jessica Palmer then introduced the platform guests for the event, including principal Dr. Karen Ritter, Director of Student Activities Katie Odell, the 2021-2022 Inspirational Teacher Colleen Gogerty and National Honor Society (NHS) sponsor Daniel Gin.

Senior soloist Mia Stulac performed a rendition of “Climb Every Mountain” before speeches began.

Ritter kicked off the speeches with a few words of advice to the inductees.

“Niles West students, what you have done so far to get to this point is impressive. You have demonstrated excellence in the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, leadership, service and character. Induction into the National Honor Society is an extraordinary accomplishment, but it doesn’t end here,” Ritter said.

Ritter continued in her speech, saying that their induction was a commitment to the four core values of NHS, and encouraging them to make Niles West a better place for all students. Being inducted into NHS represents the highest honor among students.

President of the National Honor Society Chapter Adrien Herrera was the next speaker.

“I’m glad to be a representative of this class because the class of 2022 has had a high school experience unlike any other. Our freshman and most of our sophomore year were mostly standard, we’re getting to know each other, starting to bond and getting to know the school,” Herrera said.

Herrera praised the hard work and determination of the Class of 2022.

“But today we stand on this stage because we persevered. We persevered through all the chaos that took place over the past few years. And I believe that truly is a testament to the character of every single person that is going to walk across this stage tonight,” Herrera said.

A total of 70 students were called to the stage. Members received an envelope with a certificate, the NHS pin and a rose.

As the 2021-2022 Inspirational Teacher, Gogerty gave a speech, daring and encouraging NHS members to stand out and change societal norms.

“You all inspire me so much to try to be better and do more every day. So now each of you, go out into the world, out into these halls, and be different of your narrative of more, and bring light to the darkness, ” Gogerty said.

A donation to Feed My Starving Children was given under Gogerty’s name. The ceremony ended with a slideshow of pictures that included all of the inductees.