Thirty-two Jim Thorpe Area High School juniors and seniors joined the ranks of the National Honor Society during an induction ceremony Oct. 28, bringing the chapter’s total membership to 53 students.

The ceremony, led by NHS President Keira Reese, celebrated students who demonstrated excellence in the organization’s four pillars: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

The evening began with senior Abigael Kuhn singing the national anthem and the Jim Thorpe alma mater.

NHS officers then explained the organization’s four pillars to attendees before Reese lit the Candle of Eternal Knowledge and passed the flame to each inductee.

All new members recited the National Honor Society pledge and received membership pins and stoles from Principal Ryan DeLong.

The NHS traces its origins to 1919, when J.G. Masters, principal of Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska, first proposed creating a national organization to recognize outstanding students.

After a year of deliberation, a committee established the four pillars that remain the foundation of membership today.

Twenty-four juniors were inducted: Abbey Baier, Anjali Chiulli, Chris Chowaniec, Ralph Clay III, Sophie Durange, Remy Gorski, Danielle Harris, Kaden Hess, Cooper Kresge, Jonas Lambert, Hailey Malaska, Holly McClure, Kaia Mehnert, Logan O’Shura, Arianna Onofre, Lena Quezada, Thomas Schafer III, Brody Schrantz, Madison Schwartz, Kimora Seales-Griffith, Noelanie Sepulveda, Isabella Sully, Trent Sutphin and Daniel Ziolkiewicz.

Eight seniors joined the society: Chloe Borges, Hannah DeHaan, Lila DeJessa, Joseph DeMarco, Conor Holland, Ethan McDermott, Natalie Numrich and Sophia Rogan.

The chapter is advised by Tonia Thompson.

Other officers are Vice President Olivia Bierman, Treasurer Abigael Kuhn and Secretary Gabriella Cerra.