HOULTON, Maine — High schools in southern Aroostook County recently held induction ceremonies for the National Honors Society, either virtually or in some cases in person, to celebrate the accomplishments of local students.
Houlton Middle-High School welcomed 21 new members to its chapter during a virtual ceremony held Tuesday, May 25; Hodgdon High School added six new members to its group with a live ceremony held May 18; and Southern Aroostook Community School welcomed 10 new members to its fold on April 28 with an in-person ceremony
The National Honor Society is one of the highest accomplishments a student can achieve in high school. It focuses on the four core values of scholarship, service, leadership and character. These four pillars have been associated with membership in the organization since its inception in 1921.
At Houlton’s virtual ceremony, the new inductees were: Meysha Dahlk, Alyssa Drake, Victoria Forbush, Alisha Ouellette, Lindzi Nelson, Elena Ardell, Isabella Ardell, Zoe Austin, Skylie Bartlett, Breanne Barton, Tabitha Blanchard, Isaiah Gentle, Ellie Grant, Mia Henderson, Olivia Henderson, Samantha Johnson, Collin Moody, Trinity Randall, Hope Royal, Paige Royal and Amanda Thorne.
That group was joined by current NHS members: Emma Ardell, Isabel Cyr, Emmalyne Drake, Gabriel Fitzpatrick, Drew Foley, Hannah Foster, Morgan Graham, Dina Koretsky, Sidney Peabody, Raegan Perfitt, Alexandra Reed, Christopher Violette and Quinn White.
“Given the capacity restrictions that are currently in place for schools, we decided to hold the induction virtually,” explained NHS adviser Danielle Thibodeau. “This gave the opportunity for as many family members and loved ones as possible to attend (the ceremony).”
Thibodeau added the incoming inductees achieved a 90 or better average for their grades and demonstrated the four pillars of the National Honor Society.
Also included in Houlton’s NHS ceremony was recognition for those students who achieved the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish.
According to Traci Storti, spanish teacher at HMHS, “The Seal of Biliteracy is an award made by a state department of education or local district to recognize a student who has attained proficiency in English and one or more other world languages by high school graduation.”
Students must prove their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening, according to the standards set forth by the American Council of Foreign Languages.
The guest presenter was April Perkins, the World Languages and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)/Bilingual Programs Specialist at the Maine Department of Education.
Students who earned this award were: Emma Ardell, Emmalyne Drake, Isabel Cyr, Morgan Graham, Quinn White and Sidney Peabody.
HODGDON, Maine — May 27, 2021 — Members of the Hodgdon Middle-High School National Honor Society for 2021 are, front row from left, Lucas Matheson, TJ Fitzpatrick and Abram Nason; second row, Allison Winship, Isaac Jurson, Serena Lufkin and Jeremiah Goff; third row, Delaney Little, Kaelyn Lawlor, Montana Hoops, Amelia McAtee, Amelia Scott and Madison Smith; and fourth row, Monique Polchies, Aidynn Woods, Mallory Williams, Mikyla Howland, Erin Peters, Emma Drew, Sabra Scott, Hope Howland. (Photo courtesy of Kara Wright)
Hodgdon High School
While Hodgdon was able to host a live ceremony, it was unable to do its traditional, family dinner and academic achievement awards night.
“We did the traditional induction, for the most part, except it was socially distanced and they were only allowed to have their parents attend,” explained Kara Wright, Hodgdon NHS adviser. “The seniors had to put their own stoles and cords on themselves instead of someone doing it for them. We were thankful that we were able to have an in-person induction, considering our last induction was over Zoom.”
Newly inducted members for Hodgdon were: Madison Smith, Amelia McAtee, Amelia Scott, Hope Howland, Abram Nason and Monique Polchies. They joined current members Lucas Matheson, TJ Fitzpatrick, Allison Winship, Isaac Jurson, Serena Lufkin, Jeremiah Goff, Delaney Little, Kaelyn Lawlor, Montana Hoops,Aidynn Woods, Mallory Williams, Mikyla Howland, Erin Peters, Emma Drew and Sabra Scott.
DYER BROOK, Maine — May 26, 2021 — Members of the Southern Aroostook Community School’s National Honor Society for 2021 are: front from left, Lindsay Derosier, Alexia Maclaren, Shayna McMannus, Maggie Harthorne, Jennah Brooks, Paige Vose, Hannah Brown, Delaney Greenlaw, Esther Greene, Laura Lyons, Willow Brooks, and Jordyn Legassey; and back, Alyssa Crandall, Callie Russell, Madison Russell, Collin Grant, Rose Arnts, Brianna Daggett, Emma Nadeau, Lucas Duff, Jacob Brooks, Wyatt Harthorne, Camden Porter and Hunter Burpee. (Photo courtesy of Jan Vose)
Southern Aroostook
SACS held its ceremony inside the school, with each new inductee inviting two guests. After the ceremony, the full group gathered for photos outside, according to Principal/Superintendent Jon Porter.
Newly inducted students for SACS were: Alyssa Crandall, Maggie Harthorne, Madison Russell, Jennah Brooks, Shayna McManus, Callie Russell, Alexia Maclaren, Camden Porter, Willow Brooks and Laura Lyons.
That group was joined by current NHS members Rose Arnts, Jacob Brooks, Hannah Brown, Delaney Greenlaw, Wyatt Harthorne, Jordyn Legassee, Emma Nadeau, Paige Vose, Collin Grant, Hunter Burpee, Bre Daggett, Lindsay Derosier, Lucas Duff and Esther Greene.
Brittany Brewer and Meagan Brooks serve as advisers for the group and the faculty council members are Shannon Mathers, Terri Slauenwhite and Rowena Harvey.
According to the NHS website, the four pillars of NHS are defined as follows:
Scholarship is a commitment to learning and growing on an educational path. It means making the most of the educational opportunities provided and seeking out learning, not only in school or similar settings, but also personally. Everyday Scholarship doesn’t require a minimum GPA, but it does require effort. More importantly, it stems from a desire to contribute to this world in a positive way by building on one’s own knowledge, skills, and talent through different experiences.
Service is seeking out and engaging in meaningful service. It calls for a service mindset, the desire to seek opportunities to help others as well as acts of service. As Honor Society students, many young teens and young adults at local chapters are required to meet minimum service participation requirements. Although hours are important, Everyday Service is seeing a need and fulfilling it voluntarily. Sometimes it’s driven by a passion for a specific cause or people in need. Other times, it’s driven by personal or family need, like taking care of siblings or other family members, or maybe even working part-time to help with family finances.
Leadership builds on everyday service. Service and leadership oftentimes look very similar. Everyday leadership is carrying oneself with dignity and taking ownership and responsibility for one’s own actions and participation. Being a public speaker, playing quarterback, or having an official title is not required for Everyday Leadership. Everyday leadership means being an agent — someone who takes action and responsibility — of your own pathway.
Character is valuing diverse cultures and building relationships that reflect love of self but also concern for others. There are endless attributes to good character: perseverance, respect, integrity, honesty, sacrifice — the list goes on. Good and noble character is a high calling. Oftentimes we don’t “see” character unless there is a public display of self-sacrifice, or more often, a very public mistake. Everyday character is not about praiseworthy or blameworthy behavior but the personal commitment to ethical and compassionate decision making that affects oneself and others.
