[music] [music] >> Will our guests please rise for the pledge of to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands for, one
nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Please remain standing for the singing of the national anthem sang by the members of the any choir. >> [applause] >> Oh, say can you see by the [singing]
dawn's early light what so proudly we held at the twilight's [singing] last gleaming, whose [snorts] broad stripes and bright stars
through the perilous fight o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs [singing] bursting
in air, gave proof [singing] through the night that our flag was still [singing] there. O say does that star-spangled banner
yet wave >> [singing] >> o'er the land of [singing] the free and the home of the brave, the brave?
>> [applause] [applause] >> You may be seated. Good evening, everyone, and congratulations to the newest members of the 2025-2026 National English Honor Society. If you're here tonight, you've probably spent way too much time trying to fix
one sentence. You've deleted and re-returned the same paragraph over and over again. Used bigger words hoping they sound smarter. Eventually getting to the point where you think, "This is fine. I just don't want to look at it anymore."
And somehow through all of that, you made it here. Many of you think NHS is just about being good at English, getting good grades, writing well-written essays, and knowing all the grammar rules you learned in elementary school.
And yes, that is a part of it. But really, it's about something we've had with us for a long time. Words. Back when when you were a kid, some of you probably loved reading, getting lost in stories.
Others probably did not enjoy reading, but even then, words were still shaping you through not just books, but movies and songs. A simple line in a movie can stay in your head for years. A song lyric can change how you feel
towards something without even realizing it. Even a short quote can stick with you that you heard someone say. That's the power of language. It's everywhere and affects us more than we notice. The right words in a movie scene can
make you cry. The right lyrics in a song can make you feel understood. The right sentence in a book can completely change how you see a character or even yourself. That's why we That's why what we do in English class
matters. When we read closely, you're not just learning a story, you're learning how meaning is created. When you write, it's not just filling pages. You're learning how to express what's in your mind in a way that others can understand.
So, as you join NHS, remember this. Words are not just school work. They are in everything you watch, listen to, and read. Pay attention to them, think about them, and use them with purpose. Thank you so much. Welcome as a reader
of the Round Table, and congratulations to everyone once again. Thank you. >> [applause] >> At this time, I would like to introduce the principal of John F. Kennedy High School Memorial High School, Dr. Perry. >> [applause]
>> Good evening. Thank you for having me. Thank you, Ms. Lesniak. Thank you, Ms. Abner for the work you do throughout the whole year culminating in tonight. Inside the emblem of the National English Honor Society is an open book and a pen, the traditional icons of the
language arts. According to their website, quote, "These elements celebrate the power and potential of words beautifully expressed." End quote. In a world where we're increasingly reliant and dependent on AI to think for us,
I believe it's important to remember the power and potential of words that are beautifully expressed. And while AI is a powerful tool that can do millions of tasks, I fear the potential for misuse and our becoming too reliant on it.
People ask AI to write an email for them. The recipient then asks AI to respond to that email. Chat GPT, write me a 300-word essay on character conflict in Romeo and Juliet. Chat GPT, what grade does this essay
deserve? What are we doing? Where are we headed? To me, the National English Honor Society is like the last line of defense. You guys are like the Avengers um of a world that's being taken over uh by
artificial intelligence. And so, to our existing Avengers and to our new Avengers and being inducted today, I congratulate you and I implore you to defend the emblem of the National English Honor Society, a book and a pen, and never forget the
power and potential of a word beautifully expressed. Congratulations and as always, go Mustangs. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Yes, that should be it. Mic check. Oh, yeah. Next slide.
I don't Sorry, it doesn't matter. All right, sorry. Good evening, administrators, inductees, family, faculty, and guests. My name is Nicole Wozniak and as advisor, it is always my great honor to welcome everyone to the induction ceremony of the John F. Kennedy Memorial High School chapter of
the National English Honor Society. Along with my co-advisor, Lauren Abner, I want to start by thanking everyone for being here today. In particular, our principal, Dr. Perry, um our vice principals who are not here, but we appreciate them nonetheless, Mr. Crastio
and Dr. Valente, and English Department Head, Mr. DePalma. We cannot thank you all enough for your continued support of our endeavors as we would not be where we are today without their support. I would now like to introduce our chapter president, Ria Arora. >> [applause]
>> Ria! >> [cheering] >> Good evening, everyone. Thank you to the parents and faculty for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here tonight. And congratulations to the National English Honor Society Class of 2027 inductees. As you all step into your final year of
high school, it's important to reflect on all the years prior that got you to where you are now. The very first lesson taught to students studying a new language is always the alphabet. From a young age, we are taught to recognize letters, to turn them into words, then form sentences, and eventually compose
paragraphs, essays, and stories. But no matter how complex our writing becomes, it all traces back to those same 26 letters. And as simple as that may seem, I know I can speak for many of us when I say that as academic overachievers striving for the
A in every class, we picked we picked up the habit of overthinking what we write. Sometimes staying up until the morning to perfect college essays after procrastinating for 2 weeks before because you just couldn't seem to find the right words. We wait for the perfect idea, the perfect sentence, the perfect
moment to finally feel ready. And in that waiting, it becomes easy to stay still. The aspiration for perfection often leads to the false assumption that not starting is safer than starting imperfectly. But growth has never worked that way. Growth has always come from the messy first draft, the uncertain
fragments, and the run-on sentences with unclear ideas. And as I was thinking of the perfect idea on what to say tonight, I kept coming back to your application prompt. You were asked to compose an essay sharing a description of a portal to an imaginative world. But the more I thought about it, the
more I realized a portal is not just an entrance, it's a decision you make. It represents the moments where you leave something unfamiliar and step into something you cannot fully see yet. Language works the same way. And as you enter this honor society, I encourage you to take risks in your own writing,
explore new ways of expressing your ideas, embrace the imperfect process of drafting and revising because writing, like life, is a series of drafts. And growth comes from the willingness to rewrite what you once thought was final. So, if I I leave you with one piece of
advice, it would be this. Don't wait until everything feels certain. Don't wait to find the perfect words to say because every idea you will ever have starts the same way. With just 26 imperfect letters and the courage to use them. Thank you to Mrs. Lesniak and
Mrs. Ebner for all the hours and effort you have invested into this society and into guiding us students these past four years or three through the world of annotation and rhetorical analysis. I'm so grateful for having had this opportunity to speak to to you all tonight. Please enjoy the rest of the
ceremony. Thank you. >> [applause] [snorts] >> Good evening everyone. I have the honor of bringing forth before you in this membership 50 candidates seeking membership in the Readers of the Round Table Chapter of the National English Honor Society. But before that, since I got to make my up my way up here, I'd love the
opportunity to share a few words before presenting the inductees. In the prompt that you all had to answer to be inducted tonight, I found one sentence to be especially interesting. Some people believe that high school is the portal to our future. Of course, I feel the same way. I'm in high school right now and everything I do feels big
and important because it's my life that I'm doing right now. So, I wasn't that sure of what to talk about. Uh the assignment again was to give some advice to you guys, but I wasn't sure how to talk to you. Uh is it as juniors who just made a great achievement, soon-to-be seniors, or as English students your whole lives?
Uh I chose to speak to you today as people in the portal, people on a journey. It's nearly May. As a senior, I'm feeling every day that passes. In two months, 350 other students and I will be jumping out of the portal we've been in for four years now and traveling vastly different directions.
Portals are supposed to be the fastest method of travel we can achieve. And when I look back at high school as a whole, it was really a blur that went by way too fast. But if you look at each specific day, the past four years contained 1,460 days that were each an opportunity opportunity to accomplish
something. The portal you're in right now isn't one that swallows you up on one side and then spits you out on the other. How far you go is entirely dependent on how many steps you take when you're inside it. I know that kind of just sounds like a road or a sidewalk, but stick with me. So, on roads, I feel like magical
experiences seem pretty rare, besides Dorothy on the yellow brick road, but for a portal, that's everyday business, and I'd like to think that high school is at least a little bit magical. Your junior year is nearly over, and I encourage you all to finish strong and focus up. Your days are limited, but full of many hours to make a difference. If you only ever listen to one thing I
say, listen to this. Think hard and pick a solid goal to pin up on your to-do list. You're not just students, you're young adults. So, please make sure your goal is more than just getting fives in your AP exams and A+s in your classes. Get in the gym, play an instrument, learn how to cook, maybe adopt a dog. Anything that helps your journey through
this portal feel a little bit more fulfilling. You may present the candidates. Candidates, please rise. >> [applause] >> Candidates, having been presented, verified, and approved for general membership, you may now take upon yourselves the honor and obligations of
membership in the Readers of the Round Table chapter of the National English Honor Society. If you are ready to do so, answer, "I am ready for membership." I am ready for membership. Only persons of the high scholarship in English are admitted to our fellowship.
We join with others from across the country in celebration of all the fields of English and in acknowledging that a life in which literature and good writing are a significant part is a life worth living. To accept membership into the Readers of the Round Table of National English
Honor Society, you must say your name, and as you sign the permanent roll of this chapter. As you sign your name in the chapter ledger, we ask you to recognize the importance of this oath. It is an oath to hold true to the ideals and goals of the National English Honor Society. To
dutifully encourage interest in the English language arts, to promote exemplary character and good fellowship, and to serve society by fostering literacy. Your oath, along with those who signed before you, sets forth the legacy to be continued by future
generations. Inductees, when you applied to be a part of NEHS, you were given a prompt that at first glance seemed straightforward. But what distinguished your writing was not simply your ability to respond. It was how you challenged the limits of
that prompt. You took something finite and shaped it into something insightful, nuanced, and distinctly your own. In doing so, you represent what English truly means. The ability to interpret, to question, and to create meaning where others may not think to look. Your
induction into the National Honor Society is not merely a recognition of your academic achievement. It is a recognition of your voice, your perspective, and your willingness to deeply engage with the world around you. The qualities that brought you here, such as your attentiveness, your
curiosity, your ability to think critically, and express yourself with intention, are not an end point. They are a foundation, a foundation that carries on with you throughout your life. As you move into your final year of high school, you will be faced with choices that feel defining. Choosing a path that feels right for you, whether
that means attending a university, trade school, and joining the workforce, or even the armed forces. It can be tempting to remain within what is familiar, with what feels safe. But if there is one piece of advice I can give you, it is to branch out of your comfort zone. If literature has taught us
anything, it is that transformation does not occur without risk, uncertainty, and challenge. Our favorite characters are not remembered for staying the same, but for their ability to evolve and redefine themselves in the process. Growth in both life and literature isn't
linear and requires you to venture beyond what you know. You may not see it now, but juniors, you are currently standing at that threshold. So, allow yourselves to move beyond what feels certain and enroll in the class that challenges you. Pursue opportunities that you cannot anticipate. Find power
in your voice even when it feels easier to remain silent. Write, speak, act in ways that push you towards growth and further away from familiarity. Think of your lives as a piece of writing. No meaningful work is created in a single draft. It requires revision,
risk, and the ability to reimagine what is possible. As seniors, you will not be expected to have everything in your draft figured out, but what I can say today is you are expected to push past the boundaries you have set for yourself. As inductees of the National English Honor Society, you have proven
that you can think with depth and express with clarity. Now, it is time for you to challenge yourselves at every step with that same passionate intention. This is just the beginning of your story, so juniors, make it count. Find your voice and use it in a way that cannot be ignored. Class of 2027, I
truly wish you the best and congratulations for tonight. >> [applause] >> When we call your name, please step forward and sign your name to the permanent roll. Accept your certificate of membership and a white carnation. Your induction certificate is an outward symbol of membership, not only now, but
also in years to come. White carnations are, historically, symbols of distinction and truth. We ask that you hold your applause until all members have been recognized. Bella Almonte >> [applause] >> Lilly Bausch
>> [applause] >> Krisha Bhatt >> [applause] >> Amber Castillo Dia Chanduwala >> [applause] >> Tavisha Choudhury Anaya Clark >> [applause] >> Jayden Corrado
>> [applause and cheering] >> Yasmin Lakhani >> [applause] >> Vedika Gaikwad >> [applause] >> Ava Garcia >> [applause] >> Anisha Gupta >> [applause] >> Aditi Harbola >> [applause]
>> Angela Horas >> [applause] >> Hania Janath >> [applause] >> Suhani Jadhavala >> [applause] >> Jiya Joshi >> [applause] >> Reen Kaur >> [applause] >> Jasleen Kaur
>> [applause] >> Ruhana Khan >> [applause] >> Krutvik Maru Buena >> [applause] >> Ambika Mistry >> [applause] >> Abdul Muqeet Tulasi Nambiar >> [applause]
>> Jithu Sanal Nandakumar >> [applause] >> Dweep Parekh >> [applause] >> Raj Parekh >> [applause] >> Dia Patel >> [applause] >> Karina Patel
>> [applause] >> Abigail Pietrzak Valerie Ramirez >> [applause] >> Nathan Reges >> [applause] >> Samara Reyes >> [applause] >> Jasleen Kaur Saran Nandini Shah
>> [applause] >> Pratha Shah >> [applause] >> Ahmad Shakil >> [applause] >> Niyati Solanki Cameron Turk >> [applause] >> Shorya Tileng >> [applause]
>> Sanai Turkman >> [applause] >> Isabelle Yildarbi >> [applause] >> Nicole Vargas Salcedo Anushka Varma >> [applause] >> Megha Varma Aniga Venite >> [applause] >> Angelica Vitelli
I now declare you to be members in full standing in the readers of the round table chapter of the National English Honor Society. We welcome you into the fellowship of this chapter and to the largest fellowship of members throughout the country. Will everyone please join me in welcoming our new members?
>> [applause] [applause] [applause] >> Will all members new and old please stand as our our new members affirm their membership for the first time. Let all members join them, thus reinforcing their own commitment.
Everyone, please repeat after me. As a member of National English Honor Society, As a member of National English Honor Society, I shall endeavor to advance the study I shall endeavor to advance the study of all areas of English of all areas of
English and to foster a spirit of fellowship and to foster a spirit of fellowship among students excelling among students excelling in all facets of the English language arts in all facets of the English language arts ever keeping in mind our national motto. ever
keeping in mind our national motto. As our guiding principle, As our guiding principle, duty goes with honor. duty goes with honor. You may be seated. Theme is a central underlying lesson that an author communicates through a piece of literature. Theme is an idea
that we learn very early on, yet it is one of the most complex concepts within English literature. I want to end tonight off with a piece of advice for the juniors sitting in this room. A year from now, you will all be committing to colleges, a choice that will impact the rest of your life. Now, that may seem scary, but you must
realize that even the choices you make today impact your future, regardless of the gravity of it. Every book you read, every friend you make, and every lesson you learn. In my junior year, I learned a very important lesson right here on this stage. Through all the APs and extracurricular activities that I had
put myself through, just as I'm sure you're all doing right now, I I to do something that I hadn't done since middle school, theater. With the intense workload of my schedule, I had neglected to continue my passion for something I once loved. I remember during the first few weeks of rehearsal, Ms. Ebner came up to me and
asked me, "Where have you been for the last two years?" I was speechless. I had no response. Yes, I loved theater, but it wasn't until my junior that I really decided to return to it. Previously, I didn't think it was reasonable for me to take part in the
musical if I was already overworking myself with my academics. But mostly, I avoided theater out of fear. I was scared that my grades would dip. I was afraid that I'd step onto the stage and forget everything I learned. I was frightened by the thought of taking the wrong step. However, participating in
Mamma Mia was one of the best decisions I'd ever made. The musical brought me confidence, joy, and incredible new relationships, not only with my new friends, but also with my amazing directors. I doubted my own abilities and my own discipline. Mamma Mia taught me that replacing doubt in my life with faith
shifted the trajectory of my high school career in the best way imaginable. I had found my essential theme. >> [clears throat] >> I urge you all to change your perspective from this day forward. Each task isn't another item on a checklist, but a stepping stone to your essential theme. As much as you may be trying to satisfy
your teachers or your parents or soon colleges, remember first to satisfy your own needs. Dedicate yourself to what you love, not what others expect from you. Don't work towards perfection, work towards motivation. Find your passion and follow it. Welcome every new
experience with open arms. Find your theme. Thank you for your time and once again, congratulations to the new NHS inductees. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Rhea, Priyanka, Veda, Resham, and Prateek. I hope the five of you know
that with the passing of your proverbial torch, you will leave behind a tremendous legacy for these juniors. Juniors, this is your year. The penultimate year of your high school career. The one that is both the most challenging and yet most rewarding at
the same time. And as such, I am honored to stand before you tonight as you join the ranks of the National English Honor Society. A community bound together by our shared love of language, literature, and the transformative power of words.
When I was your age, a long, long time ago, I remember the excitement of being inducted into an honor society. It's a buzz. It's an electricity, a feeling about being seen. But as I've grown older, I've come to understand that this honor is about far
more than grades or test scores. It's about recognizing something fundamental in each of you. A commitment to excellence in communication, a curiosity about the human experience, and an understanding that language matters.
You've all heard it said that words are just words, that they're neutral vessels that we fill with meaning. But though but those of us who truly love literature know better. Poet Emily Dickinson once wrote, "If I feel physically as if the top of my head
were taken off, I know that is poetry." That's what great language does. It doesn't just inform us, it transforms us. It opens us to new ways of seeing the world and understanding ourselves. As you move forward as a member of this
society and as a member of the world, I want you to hold on to that sense of wonder about language. Whether you're reading a novel that challenges your assumptions, crafting an essay that articulates something that you've always felt but never quite expressed, or simply having a
conversation where words bridge the gap between two people. I want you to sit with that feeling. I want you to recognize the miracle of it. That's what we celebrate here. But, here's why I must be direct with you. Membership in this society comes
with responsibility. The National English Honor Society's motto, duty goes with honor, isn't just a nice phrase. It's a calling. You have been given gifts, the ability to read closely, to think critically, to express yourself with clarity and precision.
These are not small things. In a world where misinformation spreads rapidly, where quieter voices are often drowned out, and where people struggle to understand one another, your skills matter. They matter deeply. Author and educator Paulo Freire once
wrote, "The world is changed by your example, not your opinion." As members of this society, you have a duty to use your understanding of language and literature not just for your own advancement, but to help others. This might mean tutoring a struggling
reader. It might mean standing up against prejudice when you see it reflected in harmful stereotypes or language. It might mean creating art, whether that's writing, speaking, or storytelling, that helps people see each other with greater compassion and understanding.
You are joining a long tradition of readers and writers who have believed that language is sacred. You're joining people across this country and throughout history who have understood that to master language is to master a key to human connection and understanding. As you leave here tonight, I want you to
remember two things. First, never stop reading. Never stop learning. Never stop being amazed by what a well-chosen word can do. Second, remember that your education in English is not a private treasure. It's
something you must share. Mentor others. Encourage reluctant readers. Challenge careless use your voice, and use it proudly. So, juniors, I welcome you as readers of the Round Table. We are proud to have you among us, and we look forward to seeing the mark you'll make on this
world. And to the seniors, you have left an indelible mark on JFK. From the antics and laughs to the tears and good memories, your voices will forever echo in our hearts. But, now you get to make that mark
beyond our halls as you go off to schools like Rutgers, UConn, Saint Joe's, Indiana University, UDel, UPenn, Fairleigh Dickinson, Yale. You are going to do amazing things. To know that you're carrying the legacy of
the Readers of the Round Table gives me tremendous hope for the future. So, for that, I thank you and wish you good fortune and happiness. >> [applause] >> And for our final parting words, English Department Head, Mr. DePalma. >> [applause] >> Uh once again, congratulations to you
all, and welcome to the National English Honor Society. Remember, this prestigious award is not the end, but the beginning of great things to come. I wish you luck in all that you set out to accomplish. Tonight's ceremony has now concluded. Thank you all for coming to support our new members of the English Honor
Society. Enjoy the rest of your evening, and get home safely. >> [applause] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Mhm.