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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: High school students inducted into academic society

By Maria Riegel, Special Writer
South Brunswick High School held its National Honor Society Induction Feb. 15 in the auditorium at the Ridge Road facility.
”This year 149 students were inducted, but we have inducted as many as 170 students in any given year,” Co-advisor Samantha Saldanha-Kuncharam said.
According to Ms. Saldanha-Kuncharam, students are invited to apply to join the academic society based on their GPA, which must be 3.6 or higher. The application also requires an active display of community service by logging leadership hours of service.
Ms. Saldanha-Kuncharam said that when the applications are reviewed, junior and senior applicants are expected to have at least 40 hours of service per year.
Juniors are expected to have a total of at least 80 hours upon applying, while seniors are expected to have at least 120 hours, she said.
In addition to the required community service and leadership hours, students must show outstanding character based on their reputation during their school careers, according to Ms. Saldanah-Kuncharm.
Ms. Saldanah-Kuncharm said the faculty selection committee, which is made up of five SBHS teachers, then selects students.
”They have to show that they excel in the four pillars,” Ms. Saldanah-Kuncharm said.
Each student being inducted was able to invite one special guest that they felt had influenced them during their South Brunswick educational career. Students could have invited any educator from the South Brunswick School District.
Throughout the ceremony, candles were lit to represent the four pillars scholarship, leadership, service and character.
SBHS principal Timothy Matheney, CO NHS advisors, Ms. Saldanah-Kuncharm and Kelly Boyer, and members of the NHS Executive Committee made speeches during the ceremony.
Inductees then received their official certificates and then were asked to light their candles in honor of the spirit of the society within them. While their candles were lit, they were asked to recite the NHS Pledge for official induction.
After the induction ceremony, a reception was held in the SBHS Red Café where friends, families, and teachers could celebrate with the new members of NHS.
Once students were inducted, the new members are expected to maintain their academic performance, continue to pursue leadership, and community service opportunities. Members are also obliged to show outstanding character.