As students returned for the second semester in January, The Cottonwood School held its National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony, celebrating the academic excellence and community leadership of its newest members.
The National Honor Society is a nationwide organization that recognizes high school students for their achievements in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The National Junior Honor Society upholds the same values for middle school students. Built on leadership and service, NHS and NJHS challenge students to create a lasting impact in their communities.
The ceremony marked the official induction of new members into the organizations, recognizing their dedication to academic excellence and community involvement.
NHS secretary Eva Bedore said the effort paid off, and the event was well-organized from start to finish.
“It was well-written and well-executed – no dead space and the executive team kept things flowing,” Bedore said.
Bedore reflected on her journey to NHS, sharing that she was inspired to apply by her mother and a friend.
“I’m so glad I finally did last year,” she said.
The evening featured speeches from distinguished guest speakers including Folsom mayor Sarah Aquino, Sacramento County court commissioner Richard Clark and Norman Lorenz, the president of The Cottonwood School. Their messages highlighted the true meaning of leadership and community, setting the tone for the ceremony.
Evan Clark, a Cottonwood School teacher and NHS adviser, said he was impressed by the professionalism of the student executive team and their ability to adapt in the moment.
“The ceremony had a professional quality to it, and the student presenters did a great job to keep everything moving,” Clark said. “They showed great poise in their delivery when speaking to so many adults. Behind the scenes, some aspects of the presentation needed to be revised in the moment, and they showed an incredible ability to pivot and cover for each other.”
Clark also said the guest speakers were one of his favorite parts of the event, appreciating the opportunity to hear from such a diverse group of leaders.
“Hearing from the guest speakers was a unique experience,” Clark said. “One does not often hear an inspiring speech from a mayor, court commissioner and a university professor in the same day. Each dignified speaker offered a unique take on the value of education.”
The night was filled with moments of recognition, speeches from school faculty, and the traditional candle-lighting ceremony, symbolizing the core values upheld by NHS and NJHS members.
Habiba Mohamed, a 9th-grade NJHS inductee, said the ceremony was well-organized and provided a great opportunity to meet her fellow inductees.
“My overall impression of the induction ceremony was that it was well organized, and it was a great opportunity to meet my fellow classmates that were inducted this year as well,” Mohamed said.
She said her passion for helping others motivated her to join NJHS, and she hopes to develop leadership and teamwork skills through the organization.
“What inspired me to join the NJHS was that I love helping people and serving my community, and I saw this as an opportunity to help more people,” she said. “What I hope to gain as a member is to learn skills from my peers, and to develop leadership and teamwork skills!”
As the ceremony concluded, inductees reflected on the journey ahead, excited for the opportunities to grow, lead and give back.
“I was inspired to apply because of how much fun it sounded,” NJHS inductee Ivy Calderon said. “I love learning and want to excel in that area. I hope to gain leadership skills, build character, serve others, become a better citizen, meet other students and teachers, achieve academic excellence and have fun!”
