The Spring ISD chapter of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) welcomed 250 new members on Thursday night, when eligible seniors from across the district gathered together with their parents, CTE teachers, campus administrators and district leaders to celebrate this year’s inductees. 

Districtwide, more than 1,000 Spring ISD students have now been inducted to NTHS – including many who have since graduated and are now pursuing their career pathways through postsecondary studies, career training and apprenticeships, and military service.

“Being inducted is an impressive accomplishment, one earned through hard work and persistence,” Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa told the students and families gathered in Dekaney High School’s Star Theater for the event.

“Each of you should take great pride in the achievement, knowing that you’ve earned it,” she continued. “You’re here tonight because of opportunities and choice – opportunities that were afforded to you, combined with the choice you made to make the most of those opportunities.”

Founded in 1984, the organization’s mission is to honor student achievement and leadership in career and technical education (CTE), to promote educational excellence and award scholarships, and to enhance career opportunities for members. Eligibility for membership is based on a number of factors, including a 3.0 GPA or higher in core academic classes and CTE classes, attendance, involvement in extracurricular activities and community service, and CTE instructor nominations.

Induction into NTHS is considered one of the highest CTE honors that students can aspire to, and earning a spot in the honor society is something that students and their families should be proud of, according to Spring ISD Career and Technical Education Director Cynthia Williams.

“It’s really a big deal for our students,” Williams said. “It’s a big achievement for them personally, and it connects them to larger networks. There are scholarships just for National Technical Honor Society students, they have college connections, they have a whole network and system that they can take advantage of by being inducted into this society.”

The newly installed 2023-24 NTHS officers for the district include President Ava Saldaña, of Dekaney; Vice President Xiomara Abigail Lopez, of Westfield High School; Secretary Katlyn Taylor, from Spring High School; and Treasurer Brendan Huynh, attending Carl Wunsche Sr. High School. The officers were featured during a candle-lighting presentation highlighting the seven key NTHS member attributes: skill, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, citizenship and leadership. They will serve as officers for the remainder of the school year.

Saldaña said she was excited about joining NTHS this year and helping to lead Spring ISD’s chapter. With her sights set on majoring in psychology and business in college, she said her CTE culinary pathway experience at Dekaney had been invaluable, teaching her not just about managing a kitchen but also managing a business. 

“To be in high school for these four years and to be dedicated to my culinary arts program, and to watch so many of my friends build the foundation of their occupational dreams, it’s just lit a fire in me that grows in my heart,” Saldaña said after the ceremony. “I feel like NTHS has given us just the best pedestal to be able to go out and actually achieve our dreams.”