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Seven Newark High School juniors and three seniors were inducted into the Newark High School chapter of the National Honor Society at an evening ceremony May 15th.
“Tonight, 10 students will become active members of this organization, an organization demanding outstanding qualities in scholarship, character, leadership and service,” said Casey Garrigan, NHS Earth Science teacher and National Honor Society Chapter advisor.
New inductees, including ones unable to attend the ceremony include: Seniors Jordan Brooks, Grace Holmes and Ethan Rossell and juniors, Sophia Hasseler, Cynthia Hernandez, Jadon Kowaleski, Alana Ransco, Cole Talbot, Beatrice VanRiper and Ben Winkler.
Current Honor Society members include: Noah Garland, Sara George, Natalie Kent, Hannah Kinslow, Erica Rieke, Becca Spry, Preston Steve, Anna Verine, Kathryn Verdine and Maxwell Youngman.
“New members are scored on a rubric by a faculty council on the basis of four attributes: scholarship, character, leadership, and service,” Garrigan 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 Noah Garland 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.”
Senior Preston Steve 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 Sarah George 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 Becca Spry spoke about “Leadership” and concluded with “Character.”
“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.”
“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.”
Garland then called the new inductees. After they lit candles, they received certificates from Garrigan and shook hands with NHS Principal Kelly A. Zielke and Assistant Principal Joseph Canori. Then Zielke spoke.
“Good Evening, On behalf of Mrs. Klaehn, who sends her regrets this evening, and Mr. Canori, I want to congratulate you all on your amazing accomplishment that is celebrated here. As you have just heard the definitions of the four pillars of National Honor Society, your commitments have led you all to this recognition. By being a member, your colleges, jobs, military, and families will know something about your character for exhibiting the qualities described tonight. To our current members, you have demonstrated your leadership in our school community and we thank you for your continued service and scholarship to Newark. To our newest members, you are joining a proud group of scholars with a rich tradition of excellence. As you recite the pledge in a moment, take that time to reflect on your hard work, and be proud of yourselves. We are all very proud of you. Congratulations.”
Hannah Kinslow 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.