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Stuart Monicatti

Adviser Jill Merkle opens the induction ceremony on May 19 in the old gym.

Junior and future National Honor Society (NHS) president Ubah Abdullahi said she felt valued being inducted into NHS and transitioning into her role as president.

“It is an honor that they chose me to be their president (and) to represent the people that chose me because of the future I presented to them,” Abdullahi said.

National Honor Society adviser Jill Merkle said induction celebrates the achievements of the NHS members during the year in one last event.

“Induction is the ceremony of kids that met all of the requirements of scholarship, service, leadership, and character throughout the entire year,” Merkle said. “Induction is celebrating that and actually inducting (the students) into the actual whole Honor Society.”

Merkle said induction means different things for the junior and senior members.

“Induction for juniors is an introduction to the first time they get inducted into NHS and to encourage them to continue to that for next year,” Merkle said. “For seniors (induction) is basically a celebration of what they’ve done throughout their entire time at Park.”

Abdullahi said she hopes to make NHS more oriented towards student’s desires next school year.

“It should be based on what you feel and how you want to serve your community,” Abdullahi said. “If you genuinely care about organizations you think are going to be impactful for you, I should provide a platform in which you can express that passion.”

When reflecting on her first year as NHS adviser, Merkle said the officers were instrumental in the success of the club.

“(The year) was rocky for me because I came in late and wasn’t totally sure about what I was doing but, it was made so much easier because of how wonderful the officers are (and) what great leaders and how organized they are,” Merkle said. “(The officers) really pulled everything together and made (NHS) a really welcoming space for everyone.”