O’Neal inducted 12 students into the National Honor Society on Nov. 21. During the ceremony, current members presented the four characteristics of membership: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
Students must demonstrate excellence in these areas and maintain a certain grade-point average to be considered for the National Honor Society. The standard GPA for induction to the National Honor Society is 3.0; however, The O’Neal School requires a cumulative 3.60 GPA for consideration.
Head of Upper School Sandy Boyd addressed the students. Boyd emphasized the significance of commitment, accountability, and community. Reflecting on the importance of pledging oneself to uphold the high purposes of the National Honor Society, the speech drew parallels with other meaningful pledges, such as allegiance, marriage, and membership in organizations.
The speaker urged the new inductees to approach the act of pledging with intention, conviction, and mindfulness, highlighting the role of accountability in maintaining the integrity of their commitments. He emphasized that the ceremony serves as a public declaration witnessed by peers, family, and the broader community, fostering mutual support and collective responsibility.
Current members were also recognized for their continued dedication to the society’s ideals, renewing their pledge to uphold excellence in academics, leadership, and character. The ceremony celebrated the shared values that bind the community and encouraged all members to hold each other accountable with empathy and grace, striving together toward a higher standard of integrity and purpose.
Inductees are as follows:
Class of 2026: Christina Acker, Caitlyn Blocklinger, Ashton Coon, Matthias Davis, Paige “Jay” Greytak, Kennedi Hamner, Andrew Hobbs, Ethan Kim, Rachel Lian, Jane Nguyen, Christopher O’Melia, and Nathan Reifenstahl.
These new members join current members in the Class of 2025: Noah Bass, Ami Batterjee, Charli Bunder, Kaylee Crow, Katherine Fensterle, Abbey Jones, Morgan Lewis, Jack Manning, Campbell Medford, Charlotte Mills, Max Pashley, Andrew Pavlovich, Carson Pusser, Jake Shepherd, Michaela Stone, Ava Taylor Walker, and Chris Walters.
Feature photo: O’Neal Head of Upper School Sandy Boyd speaks at the National Honor Society induction ceremony.
Contributed article/photo.
