A new class of Hiland High School National Honor Society (NHS) members was inducted in front of family and friends May 8.
After society president Bradley Troyers welcome, the selection process for new society members was explained.
Each student considered for NHS must complete two of the following: either algebra I or geometry and be enrolled in algebra II, complete biology I or advanced placement biology and be enrolled in biology II or be taking the second year of a foreign language. On top of the class requirements, the student must also maintain a 3.4 GPA.
These qualifications alone do not guarantee that the student will be inducted into NHS. The student must complete an application that is then judged by a faculty board on the basis of scholarship, leadership, service and character. If he or she is judged worthy, that student will be inducted into the society.
As the new inductees were introduced and called to the stage, their list of accomplishments was read to the audience. Its clear that the 2014 inductees exemplify the four pillars of the society. With long lists of activities including mission trips, multiple jobs, sporting activities, volunteer work, church activities and fair participation being read for each student, service and leadership were demonstrated.
The 2014 inductees include juniors: Lydia Beach, Alex Mast, Alana Miller, Benay Miller, Sabrina Miller, Taylor Grace Miller, Ariah Riggle, Justin Wagler and Cameron Yoder and sophomores: Megan Beachy, Brady Conn, Lachelle Mast, Benjamin Miller, Brenda Miller, Kobe Miller, Zachary Miller, Miranda Somers, Emma Yoder and Tori Yoder.
When the induction was finished, Walnut Hills Nursing Home executive director Jeremy Kauffman spoke to the students. Although a graduate of Goshen College, Kauffman said that not all learning can be done in the classroom. Even after his high school and college days were done, he had to learn hard lessons at the nursing home.
Education doesnt always help prepare you for the hard stuff, he said. In my book, there is no such thing as a born leader. For Kauffman, going through some hard situations and learning as much as possible makes you into a leader. No matter how insignificant a person feels, they are an influence and example to those around them.
He finished with a thought he didnt think parents in the audience would like. He told the new inductees to ask questions, listen, become uncomfortable, try new things, read and fail. He said without failure there is no growth, and sometimes failure is the only way to find out what needs to be done.
With those words of advice, the ceremony concluded and the new class of the National Honor Society began their journey into a new year of service, leadership, scholarship and character.
