NHS and NJHS Induction Ceremonies

In early May, the newest members of District 401’s high school and middle school honor societies were inducted into membership.

The 2026-27 induction ceremony of the Elmwood Park High School Chapter of the National Honor Society took place May 7 in the EPHS auditorium. Thirty-three new members, all 10th or 11th graders, were inducted. 

After outgoing president Claire Doyle’s opening remarks, incoming officers lit candles symbolizing the four pillars of National Honor Society: scholarship (academic excellence), leadership (taking initiative and inspiring others), service (volunteering and community support), and character (upholding ethical and moral integrity). After receiving their certificates of membership, the new members recited the NHS pledge. 

The EPHS Chapter is advised by English teachers Janey Joiner and Margaret Metzger. The 2026-27 officers will be Zayd Lahlou-Nabil and Olivia Padilla, co-presidents; Mireya Vera, Adopt-a-Kid chairperson; and Melony Howe, banquet chairperson. They succeed 2025-26 officers Claire Doyle, Kim Herrera Ruiz, Karolina Wojdyla and Isabella Martinico.

Congratulations to the newest EPHS members of NHS: Oliwia Aleksandrowicz (10th), Zachary Andersen (10th), Viktoriia Babii (11th), Oliver Barnas (10th), Luigi Biscaglio (10th), Karina Bodnaruk (10th), Amanda Camacho (11th), Kylie Cardona (10th), Gizelle Curtis (11th), Alejandro De La Mora (11th), Grant Doyle (10th), Manuel Fontanez (10th), Angelia Freidin (11th), Maya Gabrys (10th), Achilles Gonzales (10th), Liliana Herrera (10th), Zoey Jones (10th), Kate Kondela (10th), Oliwia Krynska (10th), Arlene Lizama (10th), Patrick Loughnane (10th), Zarene Mainit (10th), Lizbeth Merlos (10th), Madison Murphy (11th), Michael Murphy (10th), Juliana Nowak (10th), Sofia Rodriguez (11th), Alicja Rusek (10th), Nanci Shemitraku (10th), Emmanouela Tsolakis (11th), Aylin Ventura (10th), Julia Wolyniec (10th) and Donovan Yuhas (10th).

On May 8, the 34th annual induction ceremony of the Elm Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society was held in the school’s main gym. Twenty-two new members, all 7th graders, were inducted. 

Outgoing members lit candles symbolizing the five essential qualities of NJHS: scholarship, character, citizenship, service and leadership. After receiving their certificates of membership, the new members recited the NJHS pledge. The Elm Chapter is advised by English teacher Molly Hong and social studies teacher Christian Hartwig. 

Congratulations to Elm's 2026-27 NJHS members: Sara Barnas, David Blazejewski, Anastasiia Bodnar, Ashly Bonilla, Declan Cahill, Michal Derewonko, Makayla Figueroa, Jacob Hale, Carlos Hernandez, Ignacio Hernandez, Adelaide Jimenez, Sarah Jordan, Beatrice Korntheuer, Kamila Pijar, KimBella Posada, Jaysean Presley, Johan Presley, Celeste Rodriguez, Marjorie Shanahan, Markian Skavinska, Abigail Weiss and Anahi Zamudio.

More photos of both ceremonies can be found on District 401’s SmugMug website:

EPHS induction ceremony:
https://epcusd401.smugmug.com/Elmwood-Park-High-School/2025-26/National-Honor-Society-Induction-Ceremony

Elm induction ceremony:
https://epcusd401.smugmug.com/Elm-Middle-School/2025-26/National-Junior-Honor-Society-Induction-Ceremony