CARIBOU, Maine — The Caribou National Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony on Monday, October 30 at the Caribou Performing Arts Center, inducting 11 new members to the organization.
Chapter President Claire Ouellette welcomed guests and discussed the importance of the National Honor Society before new members were inducted.
“The National Honor Society is based on more than just academic achievement,” she said. “The criteria for membership are based on a student’s performance in the areas of character, scholarship, leadership, and service. These criteria stand not only for selection, but for the organization itself, and the activities in which we both facilitate and participate.”
Newly inducted members for the 2023-24 school year are: Landan Albair, Madelyn Cote, Madelynn Deprey, Taylor Gilliam, Amelia Godin, Sophia Garcia, Allie Johnson Roy, Lauren Lister, Joshua Pitre, Landyn Waldemarson and Nevaeh Walker.
With 11 members before Monday’s induction, the Caribou National Honor Society now consists of 22 members. Those who were members before the ceremony are Nicholas Anderson (Secretary), McKenzie Cooper (Vice President), Samuel Hebert, Brooke Henderson (Historian), Wesley Hitchcock, Madelynn Morrow, Claire Ouellette (President), Laura Plourde (Treasurer), Karson Reidy, Phoebe Solomon and Tyra Sterner.
NHS officers each described the “four pillars” of the organization as part of the induction ceremony.
Vice President McKenzie Cooper 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. This is character.”
Treasurer Laura Plourde 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. This is scholarship.”
Secretary Nicholas Anderson 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. This is service.”
Historian Brooke Henderson 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 Jamie Selfridge took the podium and had all newly inducted members rise to take the NHS pledge.
Before the conclusion of the ceremony, Ouellette thanked Advisor ValerieAnn Waldemarson, Selfridge, Caribou Performing Arts Center Director Rebekkah Willey and Caribou High School’s custodial staff for their help in putting together the event.
Families were then invited to take photos of new members before the induction concluded for the night.
