![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.jpg)
![Junior Alex Alkhal pitches the ball. “[I] just let it go and keep practicing so we can focus on our goal for the next game to get better as a team,” Alkhal said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DSC_0013-1-1200x929.jpg)
On May 27, the Rock Ridge National English Honor Society (NEHS) had their induction ceremony at the library, where they inducted members while also celebrating old and new officers, the study of the English language, and the hard work the new recruits and members put in this year.
The meeting was held after school and included speeches from presidents Aneeq Yussouf, Deetya Mudakala, and Melissa Waas. Along with that, advisor and English teacher Samuel Colston was also in attendance to remind the members of the NEHS motto, gelast sceal mid are, meaning “Duty goes with honor.”
The society itself has strict rules in order for a student to join, including one recommendation letter from a former or current English teacher, one recommendation letter from an non-English teacher, and writing two application essays.
In order to continue and eventually be inducted into the society, students must put 15 hours of their time into different volunteer activities or writing essays and poems. Junior Nishi Chute spent her junior year working hard towards her goal of getting inducted. “This entire year NEHS had very strict requirements,” Chute said. “ It actually takes a lot of dedication throughout each quarter, so I feel very proud just to be so dedicated to English.”
Once the opening speeches by the officers concluded, each member was called to the front of the room to sign the NEHS Chapter 9 ¾ ledger. Following the signing, they were then given a carnation flower and recited the NEHS oath, marking the start of their journey as official NEHS members.
Newly inducted member junior Maya Waas was especially excited for the ceremony. “At the beginning of the year, I did not want to join as I didn’t identify with English that much,” Waas said. “But then I thought it would be a way to get out of my comfort zone while also exposing myself to writing.”
However,the ceremony wasn’t over yet as Colston brought to the stage Junior Reshmitha Rajagopal to read the poem “A Ritual to Read to Each Other” by William E. Stafford. The poem brought back to members’ minds their motto and mission to the society, school, and community.
Afterwards, the new officers for the 25-26 school year, juniors Varsha Mupparaju, Leillah Kafumbe, and Mintaaha Kader, were introduced to the new members. Each officer was then given time to speak to the members about themselves and their goals for the society.
The biggest surprise of the night was when Colston surprised the senior members with their NEHS graduation cords, which were expected to arrive later that week. The senior members got called to the stage for their cords, and the officers received their medals of honor. This event marked the end of the induction and the start of the party as members, along with their friends and family, all indulged in conversation and delicious food.
