Thursday, October 1, 2026
John W. Dodd Middle School held its National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) induction for its eighth graders that demonstrated exceptional character and academic fortitude. The ceremony, which was held on, Tuesday, March 10 in the Freeport High School Performing Arts Center, featured a full auditorium of students, teachers and their families celebrating the growth and leadership the students have showed thus far and will be tasked to maintain.
126 Dodd students were inducted on Tuesday, which Genesis Martinez, the advisor of Dodd’s NJHS chapter, said is a school record. During the ceremony Martinez used the song “Chasing the Sun” by Sara Bareilles, to motivate them to continue striving for success and the best version of themselves.
“Every story starts with the courage to begin,” Martinez later stated. “The most important thing that you can always remember to do to be the most successful version of yourself, is to make the choice to start that journey.”
In her charge to the students Martinez reminded them that even difficult moments are possible to overcome with the help of the school and family support that they have.
“I can’t promise that it will always be easy, but I can guarantee that it will be worth it,” Martinez said. “Your Dodd family will always be here to help you throughout that journey.”
Christopher Porciello, the principal of Dodd Middle School, affirmed that the student inductees have exhibited the five Everyday Pillars of the National Junior Honor Society, which are service, scholarship, leadership, citizenship and character. He added that “membership in the National Junior Honor Society is not the finish line,” but the beginning of community leadership that these students will undertake.
“The students we honored this evening have consistently challenged themselves, taken their studies seriously and demonstrated that education matters,” Porciello remarked during the program.
Alice Kane, interim superintendent of Freeport Public Schools, also spoke very highly of both the students and the families who helped support and motivate them to strive for success.
“Your desire and drive to push yourselves in each of these areas, to go above and beyond, is a testament to what can be attained when you set your goals, put in your effort, and never give up,” Kane said to the new inductees. “You’re showing yourself already to be amazing leaders, and it’s up to you to inspire others by your own actions to get involved and make a difference.”
Prior to receiving their pins which signified their accomplishment, the Dodd students were encouraged by current members of the Freeport High School National Honor Society to be intentional with finding opportunities to serve their school and local communities.
Martinez told the Herald that in addition to some service events that Dodd’s NJHS chapter collectively organize, students are engaged in various volunteer opportunities at libraries, animal shelters and clothing donation drives.
