On April 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the Stephen Decatur High School auditorium, the school hosted its annual National Honors Society induction ceremony.
There were 91 students inducted into this chapter. This was the 69th annual National Honors Society induction ceremony and is the most prestigious ceremony the school has.
The ceremony started with the class of 2025 NHS members walking the aisle and having a seat in the chairs on the stage. Following this, 2024 NHS President Charlie Greenwood, Principal Tom Sites, guest speaker Elizabeth West, and others shared their thoughts on what it means to have a “mamba mentality.”
Having a “mamba mentality” and what that looks like on a day-to-day basis is a mindset created and held by NBA legend Kobe Bryant, whose nickname as a player was the “Black Mamba.” Bryant unfortunately he is no longer here with us, his idea of keeping a mamba mentality will live forever.
“Mamba Mentality (means) constantly trying to be the best version of yourself,” Bryant once said in an interview when describing what the mamba mentality actually is.
Guest speaker West is a Berlin native who graduated from Decatur in 2007 and is the education coordinator for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program.
This was followed by the lighting of the symbolic candles representing the characteristics needed to serve in the honors society.
Graduating NHS members then left the stage and escorted the new members of the Honors Society to their seats on the stage. This not only metaphorically represented the passing of the torch, but physically by having the new members take the seats of the graduating members. This was followed by every member of the National Honors Society new and old, reciting the pledge before exciting the stage.
“Being inducted into NHS means that I am a part of the best of the best in the school and that I represent the school at that level,” said 2025 inductee Graham Geiser, a junior. “It is truly an honor because I have never been a part of something like this before and I am proud of this achievement and am proud to be a National Honors Society member.”
This was not just a ceremony to recognize these amazing students but a celebration of this monumental accomplishment they have achieved.
This honors society is not something everyone qualifies for, so to qualify, then apply and get accepted, is an accomplishment that many students take much pride in and celebrate.
These incredible students aren’t just good in the classroom, but in the halls. Many stand out as leaders no sports teams and are respectful young adults. Students that make up the honors society represent the best of the best that come from Decatur. They all share the same determination and goals when it comes to achieving things in and out of the classroom. This society connects these kids and builds relationships which only strengthens these kids and the school.
“I like to stand out as a leader and am confident I can set an amazing example for the rest of the school of what a student athlete looks like.” said 2025 inductee Juan Hinojosa who is also a member of the Decatur varsity wrestling team.
“I am excited to be with a bunch of students that share my same intrests and have the same goal of becoming the best version of themselves and working together to make it happen,” said 2025 inductee Luke Popielaski.
