Caption: NHS inducts its new members into the PACA chapter during a special ceremony at Candlelight 2025. [by Stephen Meier]
by Kevin Dai
PACA’s National Honor Society recognizes students for their academic achievements and contributions as leadership figures both in and out of school. This year, the NHS sent out invitations in April, and eligible students sent their applications by the end of the same month.
The National Honor Society is an organization in U.S. schools and schools around the world that recognizes students for their excellence. This year, Grace Chung was the chapter adviser for PACA, overseeing its activities as well as guiding the Faculty Council in the admissions process.
Just last week, decision letters were sent out notifying students of their acceptance into the NHS. This year’s inductees are Sophomores Rafael Portella and Eva Castro and Juniors Lilah Denham, Ligia Penteado, and Sofia Saldana.
According to Chung, those students who have been chosen to enter NHS are exemplary in the “4 pillars of scholarship, leadership, character, and service”. Their essays reflected the ways in which they lived out these pillars in their lives.
These students were formally inducted into the National Honor Society during its segment in Candlelight this Saturday, May 31st.
Entering the National Honor Society provides students with more than just bragging rights, but also valuable opportunities in leadership development, community service involvement, and college and career advantages.
“Students can benefit from participating in the NHS in many different ways, one is for their college application, which is one of the reasons why many students join the National Honor Society,” said Chung. “Because it is a different organization to become a part of, it has a great reputation amongst colleges.”
Furthermore, seniors who are members of NHS are also eligible to apply for scholarships, which is a great opportunity for students to earn some money and contribute towards their college tuition.
“Students who are part of the National Honor Society are asked to create projects in which they can serve the community,” said Chung. “NHS students have two projects that they work on throughout the year, one is an individual service project based on their interests and another is the chapter service project.”
This year, the NHS successfully created and organized Mission of the Month as its chapter service project, providing organizations with the materials needed for them to serve the community. In the past month of April, the Mission of the Month was a collaboration with Desafio Criança Feliz in which classes were tasked with collecting school supplies for donation.
One of the students recognized for their excellence via admission into the National Honor Society is Junior Davi Magalhaes, who was inducted into PACA’s chapter at the end of the last school year. For his individual service project, Magalhaes volunteers as a tutor at his church.
“My favorite part about being in the NHS is that I get to work with other people who also have similar experiences in leading and in serving,” said Magalhaes, “and that’s really fun because we get to work on projects and help other people, especially those who are in need.”
Caption: NHS Sponsor, Mrs. Grace Chung, and student members of NHS work together to prepare packages of school supplies for the children at Desafio Crianca Feliz (DCF). [by the NHS Chapter at PACA]
Magalhaes also highlighted that to benefit as much as possible from being a part of the NHS, students should not be afraid to speak their minds and go outside of their comfort zones during meetings. He says that not being afraid to share an idea can lead to a project being organized to help a lot of other people.
Although some students might not have been admitted into the NHS this year, they should not be discouraged and continue to persevere in their efforts. Students are eligible to enter until their Junior year. If you see one of this year’s inductees as you go through your school day, be sure to congratulate them for their successful entry into the National Honor Society.
