This May, Schreiber High School celebrated academic excellence when its prestigious honor societies held their annual induction ceremonies, welcoming a new class of rising juniors into their communities. The inductees earned their spots in the Science, Social Studies, English, and Foreign Language National Honor Societies through demonstrated dedication and academic achievement in each corresponding subject.
Honor societies have long served as a cornerstone of academic culture in American high schools. First created in 1921, these organizations were established to recognize students who go above and beyond in their studies, while also creating a sense of community and responsibility among high achievers. At Schreiber, being inducted comes with expectations, in addition to the title. In most cases, members are required to attend at least 10 meetings per year, maintain active participation in school events, such as award ceremonies and volunteering opportunities, and maintain a grade point average (GPA) of a B+ or higher in each society’s corresponding class. Failure to meet these standards can result in losing said membership.
“I believe the requirements are fair because it maintains the integrity of the club and makes it an exclusive experience. If the honor societies did not have GPA requirements and rules about how many meetings members must attend, then they would lose much of what makes them meaningful,” said sophomore Luke Garfin.
The first ceremonies took place on Thursday, May 21, when both the English and Social Studies National Honor Societies held their inductions. The English ceremony, run by English Department Chair Ms. Eileen Fitzsimons-Mills, kicked off the evening at 6 p.m. in the Schreiber auditorium, honoring students who have shown exceptional skill and commitment in their English coursework. Just 30 minutes later, the Social Studies National Honor Society, overseen by social studies teacher Ms. Patricia Dietz, held its own ceremony in the same auditorium at 6:30 p.m., recognizing students who have excelled in the study of history, government, and social sciences.
“I joined an honor society to grow as a student and prepare for my future goals,” said sophomore Justin Kassan.
The following Tuesday, on May 26, the Foreign Language National Honor Society hosted its induction ceremony at 7 p.m. in the auditorium, run by Spanish teacher Ms. Hernandez. The event celebrated students from Spanish, French, Italian, and Latin classes who have demonstrated exceptional performance and enthusiasm in learning a second language. Each student received a certificate of recognition, honoring their hard work and success across a wide range of academic disciplines. The ceremony highlighted just how diverse Schreiber’s language program is, bringing together students from four different language programs under one shared commitment to excellence.
“I wanted to join one to be a part of a club and a part of something that showcases my achievements and hard work,” said sophomore Jacob Kowal.
The final ceremony was held on Thursday, May 28, when the Science National Honor Society, led by science teacher Ms. Nicole Lopinto, inducted its newest members at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. The event recognized students who have distinguished themselves in their science courses through strong academic performance and a genuine curiosity for the subject.
Just last week, the Social Studies National Honor Society held its first meeting at 7:30 a.m. on the morning of May 28 in the Student Commons. Current president and senior Lucas Gordon addressed the group, offering his congratulations and outlining what membership truly entails going forward.
His message relates to a broader truth about honor societies: induction is not the goal, but rather a starting point to truly get involved and make a difference within each student’s respective honor societies. The real work begins after the certificates are handed out, as students must demonstrate their commitment. New members are expected to show up, give back, and hold themselves to a higher standard both inside and outside the classroom.
For the Class of 2028, these inductions mark one of the first major academic milestones of their high school careers. As they transition into their junior year, membership in one or more of Schreiber’s honor societies is both a reflection of the work they have already put in and a promise of the work still to come.