The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) will hold its induction ceremony on Oct. 21 in the blackbox theater. The event will welcome new members with a certificate of membership. Seniors will receive a rainbow cord to wear over their graduation gown.
Art teachers Kathryn Curry, Olivia Gennaro and Ronald Bowser advise NAHS.
“The club’s mission is to recognize outstanding visual arts students,” Curry said. “The program supports members in achieving the highest standards in art scholarship, character and service. On the night of the induction, the blackbox theater will have a mini art showcase displaying artwork from each member, both new and returning. The club advisers will welcome students, families and administration and recognize each new member. A guest speaker, Olivia Kline, will share with the audience her journey with art after AAHS as a professional interior designer.”
NAHS President, Ella Albright, and Vice President, Jacob Crum, will help with handing members’ awards when names are called. Their responsibilities of the club itself include running meetings, discussing fundraisers and planning field trips.
“I was elected president by a group of students,” Albright said. “I was nervous for my first induction. It was cool to see everyone else’s artwork and to listen to the guest speaker. It felt good to be part of something. Jacob [Crum] and I work hand in hand to put everything together and try to make it seamless.”
Albright has been a part of the club for two years.
Three years is the maximum time a member can be in the club. Students must pass Art I with a 93% or higher, and their GPA must be 86% or higher in order to join the club. All of their art class grades should also be an A average. They also must complete five community service hours, two of which have to be art related.
“I have been in the club for three years,” Crum said. “I know that the base requirements of it are maintaining a good GPA and academic standing. I showed that I was committed to [NAHS] by pursuing these things. It’s a really good opportunity and a really cool experience. I’ve been waiting to get into the National Art Honor Society since I was in seventh grade, so it was really exciting for me to finally realize I am doing this and I am good enough to do this kind of thing.”
Crum is planning to pursue art in college.
This is Gennaro’s first induction ceremony.
“I’ve never done this before, but I’m looking forward to the experience,” Gennaro said. “NAHS focuses more on elite artistic students, so, not someone who has to have innate artistic talent, but someone who has a higher level of interest and admiration for art. It does not have to be someone who is distinctly amazing at art, which I think is a common misconception about the club.”
Genarro will help with announcing names of inductees.
Bowser has been involved with the club for a few years. He focuses more on the field trip aspect and how students are involving themselves in the real world.
“I look forward to students being able to experience new places with the field trip, so it’s a good opportunity for something they may never get to do,” Bowser said.
