GISH National Honor Society Inducts 83 Juniors into Prestigious Program

GRAND ISLAND, (NEB.) — Grand Island Senior High (GISH) welcomed its newest members, over the weekend, to the nation’s most storied societies.  83 GISH Juniors were honored with induction into the National Honor Society (NHS) marking the largest class in recent years for the Islanders chapter.  And with it, each student committed to the NHS four pillars: leadership, character, service, and scholarship. 

The ceremony itself, while honoring NHS traditions, is a notable event each year at Grand Island Senior High. Cael Wiegert, GISH Senior & NHS Chapter President, reflected on the history of the NHS at GISH. 

“I think the National Honor Society society is very important because it gives recognition to the students that are already going above and beyond in school.” Wiegert said, “NHS plays a very vital role at GISH, we do a lot and we help plan a lot of the activities here. Like, we have two blood drives that we help run with in hand with the Red Cross, as well. As we help in a lot of other initiatives and activities around the school.” 

While impacting the school is a key component, expanding the positive influence beyond the school walls and into the community is a driving force for National Honor Society. 

"It's a direct way to actually impact your community through service, and as well as a good way to motivate yourself,” Zuri Gomez Cotom, GISH NHS Vice President, said. “And you know, these pillars really motivate you and shape you as a person… Honestly, I've gotten to volunteer a lot, and I've also got to motivate fellow students to  keep volunteering and to keep helping our community. So it's been really impactful.”

Founded in 1921, NHS has become a long-standing, prestigious program holding more than 16,000 active members per the National Honor Society website.  In order to qualify for membership into NHS, students must meet a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.  From there, membership is not automatically granted, but is also based on student service, leadership, and character, as demonstrated by activities and teacher input.  Students must also write an essay sharing how they plan to continue to uphold these four pillars in both the school and the community.

For one new inductee, the NHS opportunity brought a chance to be a part of something bigger. 

“Character and serving my community.” Angie De Orta, GISH Junior and new NHS Inductee, shared. “It means being a servant to the people that you're leading and just helping out in your community where you can help make your community grow in general. I think those are the two biggest qualities that I have that have helped me get into national honor society.”

A driving motivation for others to join is to celebrate the higher standards and common connections found both within the school and in the community.  For Isabel Corona, it all comes back to what you stand for. 

“It's important to be part of the National Honor Society because it shows people who you are and what you stand for, the integrity you uphold.” Isabel reflected. “I work hard in all aspects of my life, whether that's with the community or my learning in classrooms. Also, I've had family members who are part of the National Honor Society, and it's just something like an achievement to unlock.”

As newly inducted members, the honored Juniors join the current Senior members in being active in school leadership and beyond.  Each GISH NHS member develops their own individual service project designed to make a positive impact in the community.  Recent community impact projects from GISH NHS students have included hosting a free Fine Arts Camp for Elementary students, volunteering at Big Brothers Big Sisters, delivering meal baskets during Thanksgiving, and so much more.

In supporting the volunteer efforts, Mrs. Ashley Shultz, GISH NHS Sponsor & AP World History and AP US Government Teacher, always celebrates the creativity students bring to their community projects.  Ask her each year why she continues sponsoring the National Honor Society and she’ll say the same thing — students are making a difference. 

“I think the best part is seeing these kids out in the community, outside of school.” Mrs. Shultz said, “If we can get kids who are civically engaged — who want to help out now — then I just think that helps create a better citizenship for kids in the future.”

Congratulations to the 2026 GISH National Honor Society inductees:

Liana Alonso Alvarez
Karla Alvarado Henriquez
Lilyana Alvarado
Celene Beltran Espinoza
Kalen Boltz
Adysen Boslau
Jazmine Boydstun
Bella Brandt
Jason Bushhousen
Mia Bustamante Cabrera
Hana Butters
Candy Cabrera
Maria Carrasco Hernandez
Victor Carrillo Fuentes
Sean Carroll
Natasha Chabikwa
Cricia Chacon Cortez
Caleb Chan
Yareydi Chavira-Matal
Shayra Coj-Riz
Paola Cordoba-Gutierrez
Isabel Corona Rodriguez
Derek Coronado Toscano
Valerie Davalos
Angie De Orta
Alessandra Dominguez
Mateus Drudik
Evelyn Fierro Chavez
Jarid Fischer
Ali Flodman
Maximo Garcia
Dakin Geiser
Isaac Geiser
Cadence Gidcumb
Jael Gonzalez Santa
Nicole Gonzalez-Hidalgo
Nolan Goodman
Lilly Goodwin
Greyson Hashman
Kory Hernandez Tinajero
Maxton Holling
Natalia Iglesias Alarcon
Anna Jessop
Kellen Jones
Reese Jones
Abbie Kirchner
Emalee Kumke
Bailey Lange
Jennifer Lindo Morente
Josue Lucas Mejia
Makayla Lyon
Kenley Manka
Emily Marrero Miranda
Katelyn Marten
James Martin
Layne Meier
Leah Michalski
Addison Miller
Ella Niedfelt
Lexani Nunez
Sumaya Omar
Julieta Ortiz Guillen
Wilson Pablo
Jack Parker
Nikolas Parmley
Elise Phinney
Sarai Pol Saquic
Lucas Rischling
Harrison Rundle
Alexa Sackschewsky
Britton Sackschewsky
Brandon Saquiche Dominguez
Tallon Sawyer
Alondra Segovia Diaz
Jenica Silva
Deysi Sipaque Chacon
Jaidon Soumpholphakdy
Hunter Spanjer
Rylie Starkey
Jimena Suarez Romo
Gracie Supik
Elizabeth Vicente Villatoro
Emilia Ward