On April 7, 2026, Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) officially celebrated the induction of 106 new students into the National Honor Society (NHS). While their 3.7 minimum GPA is impressive, it is their collective commitment to the community that shines: with each member pledging 20 hours of service, this new cohort alone will contribute over 2,000 hours of volunteer work to Hood River County this year. These students represent the four pillars of the organization: leadership, service, scholarship, and character.

The ceremony marked a passing of the torch as the outgoing officer team, including Anna Dalbey, Delaney Hackett, Jennica Rigert, Eva Davis, and Aspen Fridley, concluded their successful terms. The 2026-2027 chapter will be led by a new slate of officers:

• President: Gretchen Hedberg
• VP of Service: Kate Davis
• VP of Scholarship: Wyeth Droege
• Secretary: Gillian Reed
• Treasurer: Tate Shays
• Outreach and Communications: Arely Torres

Under the guidance of advisors Tammy Hosaka, Meleah Bauman, Mandy Webster, and Sonia Cortez, NHS members remain some of the most active volunteers in the community. This year alone, the group organized the Annual Trick-or-Treat for FISH Food Bank, brought cheer to seniors by decorating Brookside Manor for the holidays, and is currently preparing for an upcoming community clean-up at HRVHS.

“My initiative this year is to create an environment where the members of our club can consistently help serve our community, thereby highlighting the pillar of Service,” said NHS Outreach and Communications Student Leader Arely Torres. “I would also like for us to assist with school events; perhaps, in the future, we could even organize activities that demonstrate our commitment to the four NHS pillars.”

Torres said, “Although all the pillars are important to me, the most significant is the pillar of Service, as I consider supporting our community to be a fundamental value. While we are required to demonstrate our academic achievements and commitment, it is equally important to demonstrate our empathy and commitment to others and there is no better way to do this than by contributing whatever we can to those in need, or even to those who are not.”

These students have proven they can balance rigorous academic demands with a genuine heart for their neighbors. By maintaining such high standards in the classroom while committing their time to the community, this new group of inductees is carrying on a proud tradition of excellence at HRVHS. Congratulations to our newest members for their hard work and their dedication to making Hood River County a better place for everyone.