Old Rochester Regional High School’s National Honor Society inducted 52 juniors and seniors into its ranks at a ceremony on May 5.

To qualify for the National Honor Society, a student must not only excel academically, but also demonstrate qualities of leadership and service to others.

The ceremony was held in the ORR cafeteria with senior Michael Kassabian providing piano accompaniment as the new inductees and guests walked in.

Ross Hooley, a native of Australia who now lives in New Bedford and is the program director for the Building Futures division at The Nemasket Group, was the guest speaker for the night.

Building Futures works to immerse youth with disabilities into community life, especially helping them find jobs.

During his speech, Hooley encouraged the new inductees to take advantage of every opportunity given to them.

Honor Society adviser Sarabeth Morrell, Principal Michael Devoll and Honor Society President Stephen Burke spoke to inductees.

The ORRHS jazz ensemble also performed for the audience.

As the inductees were presented, each received a candle lit from the Candle of Knowledge. New members received pins and membership cards to commemorate affiliation with the society that has honored students since 1921.

This year is the second year that inductees were admitted into ORR’s chapter dedicated to Dana Dourdeville, a former student who died in a boating accident in 2013.

Junior and new inductee Paige Watterson said of her induction, “I was happy to be inducted into the National Honor Society. I’m glad that all of us were recognized for our hard work.”