Independence Middle School held its spring National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony on welcoming 65 seventh-graders into the organization, recognizing the accomplishments of its eighth-grade members, and honoring a retiring district leader.
The ceremony, held June 1 at 7 p.m. in the IMS Auditorium, was co-advised by Mrs. Kathleen Foster and Mrs. Rachelle Schaum. NJHS President Matthew Lawton delivered the president's report, and the executive board — Lawton, Juliette Hall, Brooke Mellinger, Corsica Willetts, and Ashley Mattes — presented speeches on the society's five pillars: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
To qualify for membership, students must maintain a minimum 3.9 quality point average, demonstrate a history of service and leadership, maintain a clean disciplinary record, submit two teacher recommendations and an essay, and pass a rigorous Faculty Council review chaired by Ms. Elisa Scheuerle.
Three eighth-grade members — Hall, Brielle Schafer, and Addisyn Voytko — were recognized as NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award winners. The national honor, given to 500 students annually, includes a $500 college savings plan.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. James Walsh, who is retiring after five years as Bethel Park School District superintendent and more than 30 years in education. During his tenure, Walsh oversaw the renovation of Independence Middle School, the expansion of STEAM programming, the growth in mental health supports, and Bethel Park High School's designation as a National Blue Ribbon School. Walsh used an orange to demonstrate that it can only deliver its juice when it is squeezed.
Dr. Matthew Patterson, the incoming superintendent, was also recognized during the ceremony.
The eighth-grade NJHS members logged more than 1,000 combined hours of community service during the school year, organizing fundraisers that raised more than $1,500 for Bethel Park residents, assembling
Easter baskets for the charity Smiles From Sean, and volunteering at school and community events, ranging from holiday festivals to sporting events.
Principal Mr. Jim Fodse delivered closing remarks.
Here are the 2026 seventh-grade NJHS inductees:
- Abdulaziz Abduazimov
- Maryam Abdulloeva
- Madison Adamski
- Daisy August
- Abigail Borsa
- Peyton Bruney
- Claire Buchanan
- Abigail Burke
- Ayisha Chapagai
- Reagan Church
- Alaina Clagett
- William Crothers
- Lily Curry
- Priyasha Dahal
- Noah Decker
- Lucas Diep
- Quinn Dobos
- Kinsley Elkins
- John Escalona De Jesus
- Scarlett Fedor
- Lianne Fileta
- Camryn Foote
- Madison Foote
- Jack Ford
- Jackson Gallagher
- Zoey Gault
- Laszlo Gordon
- Jules Greco
- Parker Hall
- Isaac Harmon
- Madyn Hill
- Gwen Kammenzind
- Cole Kasper
- Landon Kim
- Conner Lambright
- Natalie Liluashvili
- Jackson Maher
- Elise McElvenny
- Cooper Melnik
- Maggie Metti
- Brenna Nagel
- Delaney Natto
- Alex Nepal
- Sebastian Nipar
- Colin O'Rourke
- Vihaan Pancholi
- Lathik Pattapu
- Maggie Paxton
- Reese Philage
- Kamryn Pivovarnik
- Gianna Pusateri
- Benjamin Quinn
- Leila Rbaibi
- Vivienne Rose
- Alexandra Sarneso
- Priska Siwakoti
- Adeline Smeltz
- Luke Stefancin
- Gabriel Stehlik
- Elle Stevens
- Kyla Surmick
- Mya Thimons
- Eschan Timsina
- Molly Verslype
- Ruby Vignoli
- AJ Winkler