HOULTON, Maine — Eleven new members were welcomed into Houlton Middle-High School’s National Honor Society Monday evening during a ceremony at the school.
Kolleen Bouchard, president of the Houlton Chapter of the National Honor Society, welcomed the audience and commented on the accomplishments of the incoming members.
“Tonight we are inducting 11 juniors and seniors into our National Honor Society,” Bouchard said. “These students have not only achieved a 90 or better average, they have also demonstrated the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and good character.”
New inductees for 2018 were Jamie Brown, Elizabeth Dunn, Zachary Fitzpatrick, Benjamin Grant, Gabriella Guiod, Jillian Haggerty, Nolan Porter, Sydney Sides, Tessa Solomon, Rhetta Vega and Alexander Wilde.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you to one of my favorite ceremonies that we have each year,” Houlton High School Principal Marty Bouchard said. “Congratulations to the new inductees. The 11 of you have worked very hard and proven yourselves worthy. It’s a select group that you have entered into.”
Community service officer Sierra Rhoda explained the four pillars of NHS that each of the new members must adhere to.
“Scholarship means a commitment to learning,” Rhoda said. “A student who is willing to spend hours studying, will reap the benefits of a cultivated mind. Knowledge is an instrumental element in life, which can ultimately lead to success.”
Success can only be accomplished through diligence and effort, she continued. “Candidates have the charge to continually expand their world through the opportunities inherent in scholarship.”
Service, she said, is described in many ways. “In the routine of a day’s work, many opportunities arise to help others,” she said. “Willingness to work for the benefit of those in need without monetary compensation or recognition is the quality we seek in our membership. We are committed to the idea of volunteering our time and abilities to the creation of a better tomorrow.”
Leadership, she said, should exert a positive influence on the school. “Those who take the initiative in class and school activities strive to push and influence other classmates,” Rhoda said. “The price of leadership is sacrifice and the willingness to yield one’s personal interests for the interests of others. Leadership is always needed and thus an important charge to our members.”
Character, she said, is this force inside each individual that distinguishes a person from others. “Character is achieved and not received,” she said. “It is a product of making the right choice daily, and maintaining self control.”
The current NHS members for Houlton are Bouchard, Kristen Brewer, Tristan Cosby, Dylann Crockett, Nicholas DeLucca, Kristen Graham, Amelia Hanning, Ellen Hatfield, Abraham Lorom, Carolyn Mooers, Rebecca Mooers, Nicholas Perfitt, Rhoda, Kelsey Sewell and Anessa Wilde.
On Thursday, May 3, the NHS members and their parents/guardians may attend a dinner in their honor, sponsored by the Houlton Lodge of Elks.
Monday evening’s event also featured the presentation of academic awards for high school students.
