CARIBOU, Maine – The Caribou National Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony on Thursday, March 3 at the Caribou Performing Arts Center, inducting 15 new members to the organization.
Chapter President Naomi Cote welcomed guests and discussed the importance of the National Honor Society before new members were inducted.
“Members of this chapter are more than just good grades and good performance in school,” she said. “The members of the National Honor Society are well rounded individuals that contribute to their families, their school and their community.”
Newly inducted members for the 2021-22 school year are Kayley Bell, Jadynn Blackstone-Eye, Ashlyn Bouchard, James Cherrier, Kathryn Doody, Colin Dumont, Alissa Evans, Landyn Hyde, Lilly Johnson Roy, Rebecca Matley, Griffen McNeal, Kallee Parent, Selena Savage, Nevaeh Trombley, and Courtney Whitmore.
With 15 members before the induction, the Caribou National Honor Society now consists of 30 members. Those who were members before are Sierra Beaulieu (vice president), Naomi Cote (president), Michael Cyr, Kerigan Guerrette, Abbiegale McNeal, Cassidy Page (historian), Amanda Poulin (treasurer), Kathleen Powers, Chloe Sleeper, Jessica Soucy, Mikaela Spooner, Gabrielle Sutherland, Mia Theriault (secretary), Jordan Thompson, and Alden Wilcox.
NHS officers each described the “four pillars” of the organization after the induction.
Beaulieu described the pillar of character. “It has often been said that Character is what you are. Reputation is what people think you are. Character is intangible and immeasurable. Its outward signs can best be noted by one’s response to obligations, by prompt and dependable achievement, and by participation in all that is worthwhile in school and civic life. Constantly striving to hold high ideals, honesty in daily life dealing with faculty and schoolmates, and demonstration of influence for good, are examples of good character. Character is more lasting than wealth, fame, or power.”
Poulin described the pillar of scholarship. “True scholarship does not necessarily mean only the acquisition of high marks in class work. Scholarship is rather the development of a desire to be thorough; it is the creation of a love for accuracy; and, above all, it is the growth of discernment in choice between fact and theory. Mere book learning is not enough. We need wisdom in addition to knowledge. Scholarship is the first essential characteristic of progress. No society may progress beyond the education of the group. Scholarship may be defined as a search for truth. It must not stop at graduation, for every person shall learn from every experience, and mental growth should never stop.”
Theriault described the pillar of leadership. “Leadership, in its highest sense, is not simply an outgrowth of a vigorous and pleasing personality. Personality is developed as one participates in many activities, but true leadership is not mere popularity, nor magnetic personality, but instead the inspirational influence that comes to the person who has consistently kept high ideals. A true leader must have initiative and resourcefulness, and they are the result of small influences exerted in the right direction while striving only to be of service.”
Page described the pillar of service. “A person who serves others without thought of compensation is often best repaid. There is no pleasure in life quite like the deep feeling of satisfaction at having been of service to others. In school life, service is considered as those acts of loyalty, and those contributions of time and effort, which are not performed with hope of reward, but rather are done in a spirit of sincerity and in an effort to improve life in order to benefit our school community. A willingness to do the obscure tasks cheerfully, a good-natured attitude of helpfulness towards others, and an unselfish desire to do every task to the best of one’s ability, will improve the rating of an entire group, whether it be a class, an athletic team, or a club. Consistent service on the part of an individual in any society will eventually bring positions of trust and honor, and will at the same time, bring joy of achievement. This is service.”
Caribou High School Principal, Dr. Eric T. McGough took the podium and had all newly inducted members rise to take the NHS pledge.
Before the ceremony’s conclusion, Cote presented a gift of a flower basket to National Honor Society Adviser Valerie Waldemarson.
“[Waldemarson] has taken on a myriad of responsibilities. She’s not only our Chapter advisor, but also our award-winning JMG specialist, the CHS yearbook advisor, the public relations coordinator for RSU 39, and the president of the Caribou High School Athletic Boosters. Dr. Waldemarson has a true passion for advocacy, and you can often find her taking on additional projects to help those in need. Dr. Waldemarson, the amount of time and effort you put into NHS and beyond is truly inspiring. You are an example to each of us here and the chapter and I thank you for all that you do.”
Families were then invited to take photos of new members before the induction concluded for the night.
