CAIRO, NY - On Thursday, June 4, the Cairo-Durham High School celebrated the graduating members of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) during its annual induction ceremony. This is the tenth year of the National Art Honor Society club at the High School. The ceremony honors students who have consistently demonstrated excellence in art scholarship, character, and community service.
For the students, the society has served as an important outlet for visibility and creative freedom.
“Throughout all the years that I have been a member, I’ve always experienced support,” said NAHS President Aishwarya Thakur. said “I have been creatively motivated by my art teachers. They have given us opportunities to do stuff in the school that I previously would not have done. As a whole, I think the National Honor Society has motivated a lot of kids to express all of their viewpoints. Our club focuses on getting more appreciation and participation in art. Our teachers focus on trying to get us to express how we want to express, and not just conform to how others would want to be seen.”
Thakur also noted the lasting impact of their group projects, such as the Once Upon a Time sculpture. “It shows how much art has an effect. We put in as much effort as we could, tried our best, and got it finished.”
Before presenting the students with their graduation cords and gifts, the high school art faculty shared parting words to inspire the seniors as they move into the next chapter of their lives.
Art teacher Lillian McCabe reminded students that true artistry means more than perfecting technical skill.
“Mrs. Little, Mr. Criswell, and I hope that you leave high school with the understanding that being an artist is about much more than the perfection of your technical skills. It is about your self motivation, your ability to solve problems, and the courage to keep creating. Society has and always will build boxes around creativity to contain human expression. We ask that as you enter a world striving for order, efficiency, and predictability... a world rapidly being framed by artificial intelligence...that you please hold onto the importance of creating and communicating authentically and never stop trusting the power of your mind.”
Art teacher Jessica Little highlighted the district’s commitment to the visual arts from Kindergarten to advanced AP courses. She also commended the club’s extensive community service projects. This year, NAHS members have created centerpieces for the Senior Citizen Dinner, painted beautiful ceiling tiles, and painted Positivity Rocks that will be hidden around campus. Most recently, students worked together to design a custom bear for the Cairo Development Foundation’s Bears of Cairo.
Addressing the inductees, Little said, “Congratulations on your induction into the Cairo-Durham High School National Art Honor Society chapter. Your membership signifies that you have consistently demonstrated the highest qualities of art scholarship, character and service. By exemplifying these qualities, you are making a valuable contribution to your school, community, and future. The colorful cords we present to you, which you will proudly wear at graduation, symbolize your commitment to the arts beyond your time at CDHS.”
The ceremony concluded with the students reciting the official NAHS pledge, promising to use their talents to "help to create a more beautiful world for myself, for humankind, and for all living things."
The Cairo-Durham Central School District congratulates all of the 2026 inductees and wishes the graduating seniors the best of luck in their future creative endeavors.
