
The Gunston School welcomed 47 students to the National Honor Society this year. Standing far left is the day’s keynote speaker, Sam Umidi ’18 and Head of School John Lewis. Standing far right is NHS Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis and Advisor Michael Kaylor. Students (Front row, l-r) Joseph McGeady, Andrew Shingledecker, Jasmin Xiloj, Ethan Paniere, Leah Rhoades, Scotia Hopper, Emma Walker, Gabrielle Shepherd, Marley Farmer, Arlo Badger, and Austin Koterwas. (Second row, l-r) Jacob Hanlon, Van Topjian, Olivia Labrador, Elizabeth Chiochetti, Maria Boone, Peri Overton, Siroon Topjian, Jackson Houseknecht, and Eveyln Regenhardt. (Third row, l-r) Zachary Hatch, Elena Szwaja, Camilla Nonemaker, Lilly Showalter, Natalie Edelen, Brynn Roberts, Olivia Blusk, Zoey Loveless, and Kennedy Cooper. (Fourth row, l-r) Violet Borland, Chloe Bennett, Sydney Wilson, Olivia Mandell, Aurora Baughman, Genevieve Baughman, Jack Owens, and William Perrin.(Fifth row, l-r) Anthony Friedrich, Willem Grant, Isabelle Bent, Parker Wilson, Kate Zottarelli, Emma Morris, Landon Kelley, Dylan Kroncke, Benjamin Clark, and Tyler Dunlap.
The Gunston School is pleased to welcome a record breaking number of 47 students to the National Honor Society (NHS). Joined by their families, students assembled in Gunston’s Field House for the ceremony. Membership in NHS is offered each fall to students who meet the national standards for scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Candidates submit a comprehensive resume detailing their activities and achievements. Character evaluation includes a review of school records and professional reflections provided by four faculty members on the student’s conduct and citizenship.
This year’s keynote speaker was Samuel Umidi, a distinguished young alumnus from Gunston’s Class of 2018, who currently serves on Capitol Hill as a Research Assistant for the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship—the committee that originated the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provided critical small business funding for payroll support during the pandemic. During his time at Gunston, Mr. Umidi was an NHS inductee and MVP of the tennis team. He went on to major in political science at Virginia Tech, where he was a star member of the triathlon team and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the most prestigious academic honor society in higher education. Mr. Umidi generously continues to support Gunston students as a mentor, hosting Bay Studies students at the U.S. Senate and giving them a tour.
Head of School John Lewis introduced him by stating, “As one of Gunston’s most notable young alumni, if there was ever a person who reflected the values of NHS—scholarship, character, leadership, and service—it is Sam Umidi.”
This year’s newly selected members include juniors Chloe Bennett, Isabelle Bent, Olivia Blusk, Maria Boone, Violet Borland, Elizabeth Chiochetti, Benjamin Clark, Kennedy Cooper, Tyler Dunlap, Natalie Edelen, Marley Farmer, Anthony Friedrich, Willem Grant, Jacob Hanlon, Zachary Hatch, Scotia Hopper, Jackson Houseknecht, Landon Kelley, Austin Koterwas, Dylan Kroncke, Olivia Labrador, Zoey Loveless, Joseph McGeady, Camilla Nonemaker, Peri Overton, Jack Owens, Ethan Paniere, William Perrin, Eveyln Regenhardt, Leah Rhoades, Brynn Roberts, Gabrielle Shepherd, Andrew Shingledecker, Lilly Showalter, Elena Szwaja, Siroon Topjian, Parker Wilson, Jasmin Xiloj, and Kate Zottarelli.
This year’s inducted seniors includes Arlo Badger, Aurora Baughman, Genevieve Baughman, Olivia Mandell, Emma Morris, Van Topjian, Emma Walker, and Sydney Wilson.
Current NHS officers include the following seniors: President Kate Andrews, Vice President Hannah Mae Conner, Secretary Eamon Schopfer, Parliamentarian Emma Nkanza, Service Coordinators Eleonor Hubbert and Lia Schut, Service Committee Member Ethan Harper and Arya Shajwani, Communications Liaison Caroline Thomas, Communications Committee Members Susannah Clark, Lily May and Caden Quirion.
At the conclusion of the student inductions, Secretary Eamon Schopfer announced, “We have one more inductee.” President Kate Andrews then took the podium to introduce a cherished member of the Gunston community as an honorary member of the National Honor Society: Mr. Mike Kaylor.
“Mr. Kaylor joined Gunston in 1996, the school’s very first year as a day school. With enthusiasm and creativity, he transformed the lower floor of what is now Everdell Hall into a print shop, where he taught graphic arts, printing, bookmaking, and design. He is the originator of a cherished tradition, having begun the hand-printing of Gunston’s graduation programs and diplomas, a practice that continues today. Now in his 30th year at Gunston, he continues to instruct 9th graders in his Foundations of Civilization classes, and since 2013, he has served with distinction as the National Honor Society advisor, guiding students with wisdom, humility, and humor. As Mr. Kaylor prepares for retirement after three decades of dedicated service, he was formally welcomed as an honorary NHS member, receiving a pin, certificate, rose, and an NHS gavel before signing the register. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Kaylor.”
Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.






