Forty-two inducted into National Junior Honor Society
GRAVETTE — Forty-two Gravette Middle School students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society Monday, Feb. 26. The induction ceremony was held in the Performing Arts Center at Gravette High School.
Duane Thomas, the middle school principal, welcomed all who were present and explained that induction into the NJHS was based not on scholarship alone, but also on character, citizenship, leadership and service. He said each inductee was recommended by teachers, and the group was being honored not just for deeds already accomplished but for the promise of their future accomplishments. Pam Page, NJHS sponsor, introduced members of the National Honor Society, who assisted with the induction and the reception following.
Kris Schoeppy, choral music director, played the processional, Handel’s “Largo” from Xerxes, as the inductees marched in. Special music during the ceremony was provided by members of the Gravette Middle School choir and the Gravette Middle School band.
NJHS inductees participating in the ceremony included McCoy Kildow, who led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag to open the ceremony; Jamon Ireland, who provided information about NJHS; and Siena Ralph, who read a poem by Helen Custer, “A Candle is But a Simple Thing.”
National Honor Society members Brooke Brasel, Keeley Bulza, Kristen Partain and Amy Whiteside assisted with the candle lighting ceremony, with a different color of candle representing each quality exhibited by NJHS inductees. Pam Page recited the NJHS pledge, and then, as each inductee was introduced, he or she marched onto the stage and signed the membership book.
The National Junior Honor Society was founded in 1929 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals to create an organization that would recognize and encourage academic achievement among middle school students while also developing other characteristics for being a good citizen in a democracy. Membership is both an honor and a commitment.
Students inducted into the NJHS included Hailey Baldwin, Haden Bates, Sophie Bass, William Betz, Destiney Christian, Sarah Curl, Rachel Diehl, Michael Duke, Rylie Fitts, Kelsey Fletcher, Jaxon Galyean, Brenden Geiser, Daniel Griffis, Reese Hamilton, Rachel Harlow, Alyssa Holland, Matthew Holland, Isabella Holloway, Saphfire Holloway, Audrey Roughton, Jamon Ireland, Jeret Jarvis, Malia Johnson, Katie Keith, McCoy Kildow, Kylee Krewson, Wilson LaPorte, Isaiah Larson, McKenzie Lee, Harlynn Lester, Hailey Kong, Emily Lucas, Braxton Muldoon, Stormey Pembleton, Siena Ralph, Holly Robinson, Dagan Russell, Logan Smith, Dustin Snelling, Tanner Stearma, Sebastian Stiglbauer and Elaina Whiting.