13 Cook County students inducted into National Honor Society

Thirteen students from Cook County High School were inducted as new members of the National Honor Society in a ceremony at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Monday, Nov. 3.

The chapter’s faculty council selected National Honor Society members for meeting high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

The 13 inducted students on Monday’s ceremony were Sofi Boen, Lauren Berglund, Anni Dix, Kajsa Ekstrom, Ethan Fish, Tamoy Gray, Sophia Lindstrom, Sidney Litterst, Eero Moody, Grant Oberg, Cole Pederson, Elias Pszwaro, Briana Smith Peterson.

The 13 National Honor Society inductees | Photo by Michael McHugh

“This is a record number of students being inducted since the time I’ve been involved with NHS. It’s an indication of how special the class is having so many students meeting our chapter’s highest standards,” said Chad Benesh, chapter adviser.

The thirteen students join seven current members in the National Honor Society Zhingwaak chapter. Senior Ruby Gulstrand is the chapter president.

A photo of the senior members is below: (L-R) Ruby Gulstrand, Georgi Dimitrov, Maya Rodriguez, Ben Fitzgerald-Wells, Grete Youngdahl, Zoe Kacures, and Sofi Boen.

Senior Members of the National Honor Society | Photo by Michael McHugh

During the Nov. 3 ceremony, English teacher and guest speaker Amanda Beal spoke of looking toward the future and advised students to, “Choose bravery, choose kindness, choose rigor, choose respect…one day, you will be the models for the next generation of children.”

The Cook County High School chapter has been active since 1921. The chapter sponsors several service projects for the school and community each year, including assisting with the Early Childhood Winter Carnival and Empty Bowls.

The National Honor Society ranks as one of the oldest and most prestigious national organizations for high school students. There are chapters in more than 16,000 high schools, and since 1921, millions of students have been selected for membership. Millions of dollars in scholarships have been awarded to senior members since 1945 by the sponsoring organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Kalli Hawkins November 5, 2025