The O’Neal School welcomed new members into its National Honor Society (NHS) during the 2026 Induction Ceremony, held on Thursday, January 15.
The following students were inducted based on their demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character:
Class of 2026: Peter Sundborg and Joey Wade
Class of 2027: Newnew Hong, Madeleine Hostler, Joseph Lucas, Garrett Sartor
Founded in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the NHS has grown from a single Alpha chapter to more than 16,000 chapters nationwide. Its mission is grounded in four enduring pillars: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. O’Neal’s chapter was chartered in August 2000 and continues to uphold these principles as a cornerstone of upper school life.
As often expressed by former O’Neal educator and administrator Alice Robbins, “Character is who you are and what you do when no one is watching.” At O’Neal, students of character are those who demonstrate respect, fairness, honesty, and courtesy, learn from mistakes, and continually strive to improve themselves and their community.
Service within the NHS reflects a genuine spirit of generosity rather than a tally of hours. Leadership likewise takes many forms—whether through student organizations, classroom engagement, athletics, or daily conduct that inspires positive behaviors in others.
Scholarship remains the foundation of NHS membership at O’Neal. Inductees must achieve and maintain a weighted GPA of 3.6 or higher and demonstrate curiosity, critical thinking, and an ability to apply classroom learning to the broader world.
The ceremony’s featured speaker was Sandy Boyd, Head of the upper school, who addressed inductees and their families on the significance of commitment and accountability. Referencing the Latin phrase “Alea iacta est”—“the die is cast”—Boyd spoke about the meaning of pledging oneself intentionally, thoughtfully, and with conviction.
“Pledges matter because they are made in front of witnesses,” Boyd noted. “As a community, we help one another live up to the ideals we claim—by celebrating moments of integrity, offering perspective when we fall short, and holding each other accountable with empathy and grace.”
Boyd emphasized that the induction ceremony represents a shared responsibility among students, faculty, families, and the broader school community. New inductees formally committed to the values of the NHS, while current members publicly renewed their pledges, reinforcing the collective commitment to high standards and ethical leadership.
The ceremony concluded with the official NHS pledge and recognition of inductees, followed by a reception for students and families.
For Moore news delivered straight to your inbox, please click here to sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel e-newsletter.
Contributed article/photo.
