Spencer James Garners National Honor Society Scholarship

Spencer James garnered this year’s National Honor Society scholarship award at Huntington High School where the Class of 2026 member recently completed a fantastic four year run. The award includes a stipend of $500.

“The key to my success has been working extremely hard, taking pride in my work, believing in myself, pushing through obstacles, turning in my classwork and homework on time, and studying extensively for my exams,” Mr. James said. “I’ve enjoyed the following aspects of my high school career the most: Making connections with my peers and teachers, mentoring fellow classmates and teammates, persevering through the various academic challenges I’ve encountered, and witnessing my accomplishments firsthand.”

Highlights include garnering seven Prida Awards and the Award of Excellence in the 2025 district art show. Co-captain of Huntington’s first volleyball team in nearly two decades, Mr. James also served as co-counsel/co-President of the Latin National Honor Society.

Mr. James intends to attend Arizona State University in Tempe and study sports management and sports business.

The Nathan Hale chapter of the National Honor Society at Huntington High School was organized in 1954. It will celebrate its 73rd induction ceremony next fall. The chapter was formed when the high school was known as Robert L. Simpson High School and was located on Main Street in the building now utilized as Huntington Town Hall. Mr. Simpson was the high school principal for 20 years before retiring in June 1950. He was a math teacher and administrator in the district for 41 years.

Principal Robert Cushman was the driving force behind the creation of the Nathan Hale chapter. The first mention of the National Honor Society in a Huntington yearbook came in 1958. “The National Honor Society is an organization having chapters in many high schools throughout the country,” it states on page 47 of the 1958 edition of the Huntingtonian. “Its primary purpose is to give recognition to students who have attained high scholarship, leadership, character and sportsmanship.”

This past year’s National Honor Society faculty advisors were teachers Kelly Egan and Jessica Stanzione. “To be admitted to the National Honor Society is one of the crowning achievements in a student’s life,” the 1958 yearbook states. The same remains true today.