Induction ceremony took place Wednesday November 12, 2025 at CHS Colbert Memorial Gymnasium
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The 2025-26 National Honor Society Summit Chapter held its annual induction ceremony Wednesday November 12, 2025. This year’s induction class was 22 members strong. Added to that number of new members were 12 former members giving the Summit Chapter a total of 34 members for the 2025-2026 school year.
The Induction Ceremony took place in CHS Colbert Memorial Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court. Current members, inductees, parents, administration, NHS Sponsors, and friends gathered for the annual ritual.
The ceremony began at 6:00 p.m. with the traditional processional from the Professor James F. Sharp Cafeteria, down the gym stairs, and onto Rocky Bridges Court, where a podium, chairs and a sponsor’s work station awaited the current and inductees.
A beautifully decorated head table was adorned with the NHS Table Cloth. On the table were four candles along with a center candle. The four candles represent the four pillars of the National Honor Society, “Scholarship”, “Service”, Leadership”, and “Character”. The large center candle is lit to provide light and direction for the lighting of the four pillar candles..
At the Head Table sat the Summit Chapter Officers including Camryn Wolff, President; Co-Vice Presidents, Maggie Caby and Olivia Vasquez; Sectary, Tray Peters, and Treasurer, Callie Davis.
Principal, Jeremy Blechle and Assistant Principal, Robin Barton were also joined at the Sponsor’s Table with NHS Co-Sponsor Advisor Paula Ray. Both are CHS Teachers. Principal, Jeremy Blechle opened the Ceremony with a warm welcome to a large crowd of parents and other well-wishers.
Mr. Blechle said, “Welcome parents, guardians, family and friends on this exciting evening. We are excited to induct 22 new members into the Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society. Each of these students underwent a rigorous selection process and was chosen based on the national standard. Without further ado, let’s begin!”
NHS Co-Sponsor Evelyn Hankins was unable to attend the ceremony, so Co-Sponsor Paula Ray served as the staff speaker for the event.
Mrs. Ray said, “We are gathered here together to formally induct members into our National Honor Society chapter. These students have been selected by CHS Faculty for successfully completing their candidacy. We hope this ceremony reminds current and former members of the standards of excellence they will maintain as part of the nation’s oldest and largest student recognition program!”
Chester High School’s chapter has proudly been inducting members since 1958, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to excellence in our school and community. NHS members are role models and leaders who contribute strong academics and service. We welcome these new members and the new energy they bring to our continuing work.”
Mrs. Ray then proclaimed that new nominees have earned membership into the CHS Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society by upholding the Society’s four core pillars of “Scholarship”, “Service”, Leadership”, and Service”. These four pillars were then addressed by the officers of the CHS Summit Chapter of the NHS.
President Camryn Wolff addressed the pillar of “Scholarship” She began by lighting the Candle of “Scholarship” on the head table. Wolff then spoke regarding scholarship, noting that scholarship is a commitment to lifelong learning and that nominees must be willing to dedicate hours of reading and study to cultivate the benefits of a cultivated mind.
Furthermore, knowledge is essential to success and it is acquired through diligence and effort. Wolff said, “Scholarship lights our path, helping us understand the past, interpret the present, and illuminate the future. We charge our candidates to continually expand their world through the opportunities inherent in this pursuit!”
Co-Vice Presidents Maggie Caby and Olivia Vasquez then discussed the pillar of “Service”. It was noted that service is not a one-time event, but that it is woven into the routines of the daily lives of candidates. Candidates must commit to recognizing and seizing the countless opportunities that arise every day to help others. These opportunities arise not only at school, but in the community.
NHS members must seek that quality and help to promote it with the entire student body at CHS. Everyone must possess a genuine willingness to work for the benefit of those in need. Volunteering time and talents selflessly, contributes to the creation of a better tomorrow.
Secretary Tray Peters addressed the pillar of “Leadership”. After lighting the candle of “Leadership” on the head table, Peters said, “Leadership must exert a positive influence on our school. A true leader takes an initiative and works to train and guide others toward common goals.”
“An essential price of leadership is sacrifice. Leaders must put the interests of others before his or her own. Leaders move forward with self-confidence when others hesitate. Power and resources are useless without wise guidance. Every NHS member must strive to become an effective leader.”
Lastly, Treasurer Callie Davis discussed the pillar of “Character”. Davis said, “Character is the essential, distinguishing force that creates our individuality and goodness. It is necessary for self-respect and the respect of others.”
“Character is achieved through constant effort, demanding self-control and the daily striving to make the right choices. NHS members must demonstrate the qualities of trustworthiness, responsibility, and caring! Members prove their value of character by living by example!”
NHS Co-Sponsor, Paula Ray, returned to the podium to discuss the focus of community service and leadership for NHS members. Ray noted that members are required to complete ten (10) hours of service annually, five per semester.
Since last November of 2024, Chester High School NHS members volunteered for the following activities at CHS: CHS concession stands, hosting bi-annual Red Cross Blood Drives (collecting 74 units), The summer Food Program, Tutoring fellow students after school and during homeroom, CHS Cheer Camp, Trunk-or-Treat, Freshman Preview Night and Freshman Academy as presenters on school policy.
At Chester Grade School, NHS members volunteered with Fitness Day and Santa’s Cottage. In the community, NHS members volunteered with golf instruction at the Chester Country Club Golf Junior Camp and at Grace Church by serving with worship, registering children for Kid’s Camp, and by providing yard work for a family in need.
Mrs. Ray then said, “Seniors who have demonstrated the four values of the National Honor Society will be given gold honor cords during the spring semester. These will be worn with their graduation gowns at CHS Graduation 2026. This symbol recognizes their membership in the CHS Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society and the high standards that they have achieved and maintained.”
At this point in the induction ceremony, NHS President, Camryn Wolff returned to the podium at conduct the actual Induction Ceremony. Wolff said, “Candidates, we ask that you now rise, raise your right hands, and recite the NHS pledge. The audience may follow along with the printed text in your program.”
The pledge is as follows: I pledge to uphold, the high purposes of the National Honor Society, to which I have been selected; I will be true to the principles for which it stands; and I will maintain and encourage the high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.”
Inductees were then asked to come forward to receive a token of membership and to sign their names in the official NHS Summit Chapter registry. The following 22 new members included:
Monica Anaya, daughter of Juan and Tera Anaya; Jackie Bess, son of Jessica Gromelski and stepson of Aaron Wunderlich; Logan Brace, son of Hubert and Cristie Brace; Hayden Cartwright, daughter of Shellie and Kevin Cartwright; Revolution Chaput, daughter of Shaun and Emily Chaput; Aubrey Colvis, daughter of Kyle and Jennifer Colvis; Ethan Colvis, son of Matt and Carrie Colvis; Lexie Davis, daughter of Jamie Davis and Loren Gimber; Aleah Eggemeyer, daughter of Brian and Carrie Eggemeyer; Joella Eggemeyer, daughter of Nate and Terra Eggemeyer; Addison Gottschammer, daughter of Jeremy and Chrissy Gottschammer; Baily Hartman, daughter of Mike and Pam Cole; Annah Helvey-Ahring, daughter of Shane Helvey and Angela Ahring; Kross Jany, son of Matt and Kasi Jany; Grace Kirkpatrick, daughter of James and Sarah Kirkpatrick; Karim Landeros-Alvarado, son of Paty Hernandez; Treyton McCartney, son of Mike and Heather McCartney; Anna Menefee, daughter of Tessa Menefee and Heath Menefee & stepdaughter of Cindy Menefee; Kaylee Rogers, daughter of Julie Rogers and Markum Rogers; Isabel Smith, daughter of Audra Steiner and Alex Betuski; Katie Werner, daughter of Angie and Randy Werner; and Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of Chris and Nicole Long and Nick Wilson.
The 22 new inductees now join the 12 established members to form a total Summit Chapter of 34 members. Veteran members include David August, Maggie Caby, Callie Davis, Lillian Diskey, Southern LaChance, Erin Liefer, Rylie Myers, Trayton Peters, Madison Stauffer, Jessica Stumpe, Olivia Vasquez, and Camryn Wolff.
Following the introduction of new members, President Wolff thanked NHS Co-Sponsors Mrs. Hankins and Mrs. Ray, and the other Summit Chapter Officers for their hard work in organizing the 2025-26 Induction Ceremony. Everyone was then invited to stay after the ceremony and take photos with the new and existing CHS Summit Chapter members. Lite refreshments were served on the upper concourse.
The entire CHS Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society poses for a group photo following the 2025-26 NHS Induction Ceremony Wednesday November 12 at CHS. The entire group now stands at 34 active members. Jim Beers Photo
The 22 Chester High School students pictured were inducted into the CHS Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society Wednesday November 12. The group of new inductees includes (in no particular order) Monica Anaya, Jackie Bess, Logan Brace, Hayden Cartwright, Revolution Chaput, Aubrey Colvis, Ethan Colvis, Lexi Davis, Aleah Eggemeyer, Joella Eggemeyer, Addison Gottschammer, Bailey Hartman, Annah Helvey-Ahring, Kross Jany, Grace Kilpatrick, Karim Landeros-Alvarado, Treyton McCartney, Anna Menefee, Kaylee Rogers, Isabel Smith, Katie Werner, and Elizabeth Wilson. These 22 new inductees join 12 veteran members for a total of 34 members overall. Jim Beers Photo
Paula Ray, one of the Co-Sponsors of Chester High School’s Summit Chapter of the National Society, welcomes guests to the 2025-26 Induction Ceremony for 22 new members of the NHS. The event took place Wednesday November 12 at CHS Colbert Gymnasium. Mrs. Ray guided the ceremony as Co-Sponsor Evely Hankins was unable to be present at the event. Jim Beers Photo
National Honor Society Officers were instrumental in conducting the 2025-26 Induction Ceremony of the CHS Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society. The event took place Wednesday November 12. Pictured at the head table during the ceremony are (left to right) President Camryn Wolff, Co-Vice Presidents Maggie Caby and Olivia Vasquez, Treasurer Callis Davis, and Secretary, Callis Davis. Jim Beers Photo
New inductee to the CHS Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society, Isabel Smith, signs the Official Register, after taking the oath to become a member of the 2025-26 inducy\tee class of 22 new members. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High Schol Inductees take the official pledge at the 2025-26 Induction Ceremony Wednesday November 12. A total of 22 new inductees joined the 12 veteran members to form a group of 34 total NHS members at CHS, Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School Inductees raise their right hands as they take the official pledge to become members of the CHS Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society. The 2025-26 Induction Class of 22 inductees joins the other 12 veteran members to form a 34-member group at CHS, Jim Beers Photo
Lexi Davis signs the Official NHS Register after taking his pledge to join the Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society. Jim Beers Photo
Co-Vice Presidents of the Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society, Olivia Vasquez and Maggie Caby, help to induct the 22 new inductees into the organization Wednesday November 12. The two officers were discussing the second pillar of the NHs, “Service”. Jim Beers Photo
Ethan Colvis, a new inductee into the Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society, signs the Official Register immediately following the completion of his Induction Ceremony. Pictured with Colvis is NHS President, Camryn Wolff. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School student, Joella Eggemeyer, signs the Official Register of the Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society after taking the oath and making the pledge to join the organization. The event was the 2025-26 Induction Ceremony of the NHS at CHS. Jim Beers Photo
Annah Helvey-Ahring signs the Official Registry of the Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society. She had just taken the Oath and made the Pledge to become a new member of the CHS Chapter of the NHS. Jim Beers Photo.