Sussex Academy holds honor society induction ceremony
Sussex Academy inducted 25 new members of its National Honor Society chapter May 6.
The NHS is led by President Emma Mullen, Vice President Kate Meszaros, Secretary Peyton Stanislav and Treasurer Rachel O’Day, and overseen by advisors Rebecca Frankum and Colin Marine. To qualify, a student must be at least a sophomore with a grade point average of 85% or above.
Their application must demonstrate action in leadership, character, community service and academic standing. Applications are redacted to be anonymous before a faculty council reviews them and votes to determine if a student meets the criteria for membership.
Newly inducted NHS members are Lillian Baker, Isabella Carroll, Armaan Chadha, Jaynie Chilel-Ramirez, Olivia Conaway, AnnahBella Crisci, Marissa Davis, Nathan Falcone, Rogue Garcia, Karla Hernandez, Amber Jennings, Carson Klahr, Kimia Langroudi, Karina Lopez, Princessa Lopez Diaz, Wyatt Matulonis, Addison McIlvaine, Jack Meszaros, Riley Moriarty, Caroline Olewiler, Caitlin Perchiniak, Zipporah Rolph, Jack Thomas, Grace Thomas and Caroline White.
Once inducted, students must maintain their GPA and participate in 10 hours of community service, with at least one hour dedicated to a chapter project.
Officers are newly elected each year, and their job is to organize chapter projects. This year, officers organized a drive to benefit the Brandywine Valley SPCA in Georgetown. Students collected unwanted T-shirts that they cut and braided into more than 100 dog toys.
During the second trimester, members worked with the CHEER Center on Project Cheer to ensure holiday items are available to seniors in the community. Members collected socks, rice, felt and buttons to make more than 60 snowmen figures they donated to Project Cheer.
Finally, members installed a tree of gratitude display on the wall outside the cafeteria. The tree is filled with leaves that hold notes of gratitude from students to faculty and staff.
The NHS also runs and maintains the school store at the secondary campus. Money from the school store proceeds funds the NHS Philanthropy Board. Clubs wishing to complete service projects may apply for funding from the philanthropy board to assist in their endeavors. Student members volunteer time to meet as a board, review applications and make grant decisions. This year, the NHS granted funds to service organizations such as the Make a Change Club, which constructs blankets for Nemours Children's Hospital (formerly A.I. duPont); All in Alliance Club, which used the money to purchase food for community needs; the Green Team, whose money will help update recycling initiatives on campus; and to Nurse Dawnyel Furlong to secure a freezer for the food pantry.
Lastly, officers and members worked together to orchestrate the induction ceremony, pitching in to organize every element from programs to decorations.
