Last Thursday, the Burlington High School Chapter of the National Honor Society welcomed three outstanding new members during an intimate induction ceremony. This year's inductees include juniors Briar Simpson and Swae Witzel, and sophomore Hayden Woller. Their selection reflects the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, leadership, service, and character—all of which were highlighted during the evening’s ceremony.
The event opened with a formal address explaining the purpose of the gathering: to recognize students who had successfully completed the candidacy process and to affirm the standards current members are called to uphold. The faculty selection process is a careful one, and being chosen for membership is a significant achievement, symbolizing the highest ideals in academics and service.
The ceremony also served as a reflective moment for current members and alumni in attendance, reinforcing the continued responsibility NHS members bear as role models within the school and greater community. NHS President Cooper Barnes spoke about the pride the chapter has in maintaining a culture of excellence and the important role NHS plays in student leadership at BHS.
As part of the traditional candle-lighting ceremony, current NHS members gave brief speeches on the core values of the organization. Riley Barnes introduced Scholarship, emphasizing a passion for lifelong learning and a commitment to intellectual growth. Kaia Miller followed with Leadership, highlighting the importance of sacrifice and self-confidence in guiding others. Rowdy Humrich presented on Service, calling attention to the quiet but powerful impact of helping others. Lastly, Bethany Cure concluded the segment by sharing reflections on Character, underscoring the importance of integrity, respect, and responsibility in daily life.
In addition to welcoming new members, the ceremony was also a time to honor the dedication of this year’s graduating seniors. These students were recognized for their continued embodiment of NHS values throughout their high school careers and were presented with their honor stoles to be worn during graduation. This year’s seniors are Cooper Barnes, Riley Barnes, Stanton Cure, Rowdy Humrich, Thomas Schaal, and Lexie Wollert. Their contributions to the school and community leave a lasting legacy for the next generation of leaders.
The evening was a reminder of what it means to strive for excellence—not just in academics, but in character and service to others. Congratulations to both the new inductees and our graduating members!
Senior NHS Members: Rowdy Humrich, Stanton Cure, Cooper Barnes, Lexie Wollert, Riley Barnes, and Thomas Schaal.