The National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society both welcomed and honored their new members on Tuesday night with a collaborative induction ceremony held in the cafeteria.

National Technical Honor Society adviser Kelly Harmon detailed the history and acceptance process of the NTHS before handing it off to Club President Hannah Eareckson, a senior of Brielle, who began the symbolic candle lighting ceremony.

Several candles were lit to represent each of the values that the NTHS promotes and is built around. Each of the candle lightings was accompanied by a small speech made by members of the NTHS describing values such as leadership and service.

A video made by senior Max DeGeorge of Ocean and Eareckson followed the NTHS induction. In the video, each of the NHS inductees answered the same question: “What drives you to greatness?”

Many of the inductees opted to credit their parents, family or friends as their motivators. Junior Johnny Callaghan of Wall took a different approach when he said that he is driven by his car.

In NHS adviser Justine Lane’s opening speech, she explained the application process that all inductees completed. In order to be accepted, she said, an applicant must maintain a grade point average of 92 or above, and complete 50 hours of leadership along with 100 hours of service.

After a speech given by junior Shane Nolan of Bradley Beach about what being inducted means to him, NHS inductees were given candles to symbolically light as part of the ceremony. After repeating the NHS pledge, they were instructed to blow out the flames.

Freshman Cameron DeStefano of Middletown is not an NTHS or NHS member but enjoyed the event.

“I feel that the the inductions were a proud moment for both the students and parents,” DeStefano said. “NHS and NTHS really made those kids stand out, which seems to be an amazing experience.”