On the fourteenth of November, 2024, Williamsburg Preparatory School hosted its second ceremony for the newest inductees of the National Honor Society program, recognizing students who exhibit the values of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
National Honor Society is more than just a program – it is a community built of students who are willing to thrive and grow as individuals through their acts of service and ability to persevere during trying times. These very students are amongst the most hardworking and dedicated, not just towards their studies, but towards making a change.
At WP alone, 32 of our very own students play a part in this national society. As a whole organization, more than 1.4 million students globally serve their own communities.
According to the NHS website, the National Honor Society was born on March 1, 1921. Its founder, Dr. Edward Rynearson, sought to ignite a spark in students to display the values of his society. With its establishment, it spread the notion that high schools must create an abundance of democracy, and anything that jeopardized this was not just a roadblock to education but damaging to public welfare. As a result, the implementation of NHS in schools serves as a podium for students to voice their opinions on matters and ignite change.
Students at WP have already taken advantage of this podium by numerous completed and upcoming projects such as a bake sale to raise funds for homeless teens last year, which amounted 400 dollars, and current measures to develop a food drive and raise money for charities.
WP NHS president Auden Hammill says, “It’s a fun position, and I enjoy being able to use my effort and passion to make a great impact. It’s a big responsibility, but it’s so worth it, and I feel that I’ve gotten a lot of experience from it and that it’s helped with my public speaking.”
As president of such a diligent community, he proclaims, ¨A better society looks like a society where we are all equal, no one takes away rights, yet people have the power to do what they desire to be best. No widespread problems are unable to be solved.”
Facilitator and teacher Mr. Bullington recalls its origins at WP saying, ¨Two years ago, we didn’t have an NHS chapter at the school. We recognized the need so that the seniors would be able to put it on their college applications, so we got it started up as quickly as possible. Auden did a great job of stepping into the role as President and we went from there. Its a pleasure to watch the best and brightest of our school work together to help improve things in the world, and I´m excited to keep it building to be better every year.”
