Alton High School Inducts 75 New National Honor Society Members

ALTON - Seventy-five Alton High School juniors were inducted into the National Honor Society, a major accomplishment.

On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, families and staff members crowded the school’s auditorium to watch the induction ceremony. Advisor Angela Laaker noted that the organization is a great way to build leaders, and the ceremony was a chance to celebrate their new members.

“I think they're going to be bigger and better people because of it,” she said.

Students must maintain a 3.75 GPA to be inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS). They are required to attend three meetings and complete ten hours of community service every quarter to keep their spot in the organization.

The four pillars of NHS — character, leadership, scholarship and service — are exemplified by the students. Laaker noted that the organization encourages these qualities through community service projects.

“It does build character. Leadership is a big point as well. It allows them to be a leader, not only in the school, but in the community, and to make contacts with people in the community. And we all know that service is one of those things that…makes you feel good that you're giving back to the people who help put you through school,” she explained. “They say communities raise the kids. It's not just a family; it's a community that does it. So this is part of them giving back to the community.”

The ceremony itself was a lot of fun for students. The Alton High School JROTC Color Guard provided a posting of the colors, followed by the National Anthem performed by four senior NHS members, Grant Ely, Kenlea Jamison, Wesley LeBrun and Macie Tyler.

The candle-lighting ceremony is part of the induction. This was led by NHS student leaders Tiffany Zheng, Rayna Raglin, Katherine Krafka and Stella Cowan. Biology teacher Josh Gaither was the keynote speaker, and Makenzie Stark led the pledge.

AHS Principal Stacie Franke and Alton Community Unit School District #11 Superintendent Elaine Kane presented the inductees with their certificates. Laaker and Carolyn Cramer provided closing remarks.

Earlier in the day, the students also participated in a tapping ceremony, where senior NHS members “tapped” the junior inductees for a quick morning meeting to congratulate them.

Laaker expressed her appreciation for the students who are involved in NHS. She shared that 60 seniors will be recognized during graduation for their involvement, and she looks forward to working with this new class of juniors to keep NHS going strong at Alton High School.

“The way they run it, they take ownership of it. Our senior group has been fantastic. I really look forward to the new inductees coming,” she said. “I feel very attached to them.”

She added that any organization that needs volunteers can contact her at alaaker@altonschools.org, and she can share your service opportunity with her students. The NHS completes many projects throughout the year, including a popular trunk-or-treat at the high school.

Here is a full list of this year’s NHS inductees:

• Deacon Alm
• Ellen Anderson
• Karma Armstead
• Hailey Baum
• Aubrey Beane
• Haley Bohn
• Emerson Bruns
• Lilly Burns
• Jocelyn Byrd
• Rebekah Calaway-Habeck
• Caroline Cannon
• Griffin Clark
• Elias Clark
• Lauren Conwell
• Sabrina Coy
• Wilemina Criveau
• Landon Davis
• Jayce DeGerlia
• Peyton Delehanty
• McKenna Dondanville
• Donavon Ducey
• Jaxson Duke
• Jillian Dwiggins
• Elise Eschbach
• Isabel Espinoza
• Kourtnee Evans
• McKenna Fox
• Quinn Halliday
• Patrick Henesey
• Madyson Henkhaus
• Michael Henry
• Benjamin Hilgert
• Jonah Hilgert
• Mollie Hilgert
• Cathryn Holmes
• Madelyn Hudanick
• Erick Humphrey
• Madeline Kemper
• Laila Kiger
• Alyssa Knight
• Ellia Kwas
• Chasity Lee
• Stella Mathews
• Chloe McIntyre
• Alayna McKee
• Olivia Meadows
• Juliette Meza
• Gracie Milford
• Ryleigh Parish
• Isabella Paynic
• Ella Peuterbaugh
• Mya Pickens
• Allison Pruitt
• Amari Raglin
• Eva Riney
• Aiden Russell
• Colin Sancamper
• Itzel Sanchez-Cook
• Taylor Saunders
• Hailey Schnur
• Lydia Schrumpf
• Nathaniel Schuenke
• Vail Schwaab
• Sidney Scyoc
• Husna Shihadeh
• Courtaysia Slack
• Carter Stahl
• Aiden Stephens
• Natalie Stevenson
• Ella Valyo
• Kirsten Vaughn
• Lucas Ventimiglia
• Eden Warford
• Alyssa Watson-Duey
• Faye Weirich

This Featured Article is sponsored by Alton Community Unit School District #11. To get your business or organization featured on www.Riverbender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.

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