On Thursday November 12, 2013 Padua Academy held this years National Honor Society Installation. Forty-three junior and senior students were newly inducted and twenty-five seniors were welcomed back to NHS for their second year.

NHS, led by Padua’s academic dean Mrs. Fundakowski, celebrates outstanding academic achievement of high school upper classmen. Girls are invited to apply based on their GPA and are selected based on how well their application embodies the four attributes of National Honor Society: scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

This year’s NHS officers are seniors Marci Kelleher, Bridget Fassano, Erin Wendleburg, and Brittany Conner. President of this year’s NHS, Brittany Conner says, “This year’s chapter of the National Honor Society will be centered around using service, character, leadership, and scholarship to challenge our limits and benefit both the Padua and global community. National Honor Society always stresses the four aforementioned pillars, but this year will strive to implement them into the [Padua student’s] daily lives.” The four officers worked for the first months of school to plan the instillation. Each delivered speeches on one of the attributes of NHS and lit the ceremonial candles. All of the girls being inducted were called on stage to receive their certificate, pins, and to shake Mrs. Mann’s hand. The girls lined up in front of the stage, held candles and passed their flame down the line.

Senior Marci Kelleher’s mother was the guest speaker at this year’s ceremony. Ida Marie Kelleher is a Padua alum and successful music therapist. She addressed the students and their families about how to cultivate their positive qualities and share them with the world.

Following the ceremony the newly inducted NHS members and their families stayed in the cafeteria for refreshments and pictures. All of the girls were excited to be honored for their hard work. Senior Jen Fiscella was welcomed back to NHS this year. She said, “Being re-inducted into NHS is such an honor, knowing that your hard work, leadership, and service are being recognized.” Senior Emily Evans who was inducted for the first time said, “It was a really beautiful ceremony that stressed the importance of commitment to the NHS’s standards. I’m excited to contribute to the great work that the NHS always does both in and around the Padua community.” This years group of honor society members has already started their work with the Adopt-A-Family program and cleaning Broom Street. There is sure to be more from them in 2014!