Ten Newark High School juniors and three seniors were inducted into the Newark High School chapter of the National Honor Society at an evening ceremony December 20th.
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“Tonight, 13 students will become active members of this organization, an organization demanding outstanding qualities in scholarship, character, leadership and service,” said Casey McManus, NHS Earth Science teacher and National Honor Society Chapter advisor.
New inductees, including one unable to attend the ceremony include: Seniors Ethan Coleman, Ava Ransco and Ethan Tonkinson and juniors Isabella Cary, Cinthya Trejo Castaneda, Sierra George, Bailey Harris, Jacob Havert, Lucas Herd, Ryan Hinks, Anna Lanse, Mikalya Miller and Emma Thayer.
Current Honor Society members include: Sophia Hasseler, Cynthia Hernandez, Jadon Kowaleski, Alana Ransco, Cole Talbot, Beatrice VanRiper and Ben Winkler.
“New members are scored on a rubric by a faculty council on the basis of four attributes: scholarship, character, leadership, and service,” McManus continued. “All candidates must have and maintain a scholastic average of at least 88 to be considered. In addition to the scholastic average, each must submit a resume, essay, teacher sponsorship form, character questionnaire and more. This, along with being a leader in the classroom, the ability to place service above self, demonstration of high standards toward honesty, reliability, fairness and tolerance constitute the criteria which has led to their selection.
“Your acceptance is the evidence that you are the leaders of tomorrow and an honor such as this is a wonderful way for the school and community to recognize and celebrate the choices, and sometimes the sacrifices, you have made. Once inducted, you will serve to assist this chapter in creating enthusiasm for scholarship, in stimulating a desire to render service, in promoting worthy leadership and encouraging the development of character in all students at Newark High School. You have worked hard to earn this distinction and tonight you should feel proud of yourselves and your accomplishments.”
Then Senior Cole Talbot spoke.
“. . . We are gathered here to formally recognize those students who have been selected by the faculty of our school for successfully completing their candidacy and are being inducted as new members of our NHS chapter,” he said. “ For current members and those former members who may be among our guests, we hope this will serve to remind you of the standards of excellence you too are charged with maintaining as members of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious student recognition program.
“Our chapter is proud to have been inducting new members since 1956 and with today’s ceremony further establishes our continuing emphasis on excellence that we represent for our school and community. Throughout the year, members of our chapter serve as role models for other students. In addition to the strong academic records which established the eligibility for membership, our chapter members are leaders in many student organizations, and we serve our school and community. We are proud of this record of accomplishment and welcome these new members who bring new energy in support of our continuing work as NHS members.
“It is at this time that we proclaim to all in attendance, that membership in the Newark Chapter of the National Honor Society has been earned by these candidates through the effective demonstration of the four qualities that serve as standards for the Society. Members of the chapter will now review these qualities for the candidates.”
Talbot began with “Scholarship.”
“Scholarship denotes a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend hours in reading and study, knowing the lasting benefits of a cultivated mind. We should continue to learn even when formal education has ended. For human education ends only with the end of life. Knowledge is one great element in life, which leads to the highest success, and it can be acquired in only one way – through diligence and effort. Learning furnishes the lamp by which we read the past, the torch guiding us to understand the present, and the light that illuminates the future. Candidates have the charge to continually expand their world through the opportunities inherent in scholarship.”
Senior Ben Winkler explained “Service.”
“My office is service. Service can be established in the routine of the day’s work where many opportunities arise to help others both at school and in the community. A willingness to work for the benefit of those in need, without monetary compensation or public recognition, is the quality we seek in our membership and promote for the entire student body. We are committed to volunteering our time and talents to the creation of a better tomorrow.”
Senior Sophia Hasseler spoke about “Leadership.”
“Leadership should exert a wholesome influence on the school. In taking initiative in the classroom and in school activities, the real leader strives to train and aid others to reach their common goals of success. The price of leadership is sacrifice – the willingness to yield one’s personal interests for the interests of others. A leader has self-confidence and will go forward when others hesitate. No matter what power and resources may exist in a school, community, or nation, they are ineffectual without the guidance of a wise leader. Leadership is always needed; thus, to lead is a meaningful and substantive charge to each of our members.”
Senior Cynthia Hernandez spoke about “Character.”
“Character is the force within the individual that distinguishes each person from others. It creates for each of us our individuality, our goodness. It is that without which no one can respect oneself, nor hope to attain the respect of others. It is this force of character that guides one though life, and, once developed, grows steadily within. Character is achieved and not received. It is the product of constant thought and action, the daily striving to make the right choice. The problem of character is the problem of self-control. We must be in reality what we wish to appear to others - to be rather than to seem. By demonstrating such qualities as respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship, we may hope to prove by example that we value character.”
Beatrice VanRiper then called the new inductees forward. After they lit candles, they received certificates from McManus and shook hands with NHS Principal Kelly A. Zielke and Assistant Principals Addie Klaehn and Joseph Canori.
Then Zielke spoke. “Good evening everyone and thank you all for being here to celebrate the accomplishments of our students. On behalf of Mrs. Klaehn and Mr. Canori, I want to thank the committee for their work with the selection process, and to Mrs. McManus as the advisor for National Honor Society. This is an important organization, and with the support of our staff, we are here tonight to celebrate our newest members.
Students, tonight you are joining over 1.4 million members nationwide in one of the country’s oldest programs recognized in high schools. By being a member of National Honor Society, you have demonstrated that you meet the rigorous criteria for the selection process. You are telling college admission counselors, future employers, or recruiters that you have Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character just by being accepted. I am so very proud of your hard work and dedication, and am excited to see what your futures bring. Congratulations!”
Hasseler then led the new inductees in reciting the National Honor Society pledge.
“I pledge to uphold The high purposes of the National Honor Society To which I have been selected; I will be true to the principles for which it stands; And will maintain and encourage The high standards Of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.”
The Induction Ceremony was followed by an informal reception in the hallway outside the NHS auditorium.