NHS Welcomes 13 New Members

National Honor Society inducts 13 seniors in winter induction ceremony.

Emily Moliken, Editor-in-Chief|January 9, 2015

Emily Moliken

Inductees Matt Strehle, Eleesha Ducusin, Myles Goggins, Ashley Claiborne, Jesse Meyer, Lexi Russell, and Chase Condor show off their certificates and candles after the ceremony.

This past Wednesday, the Sigma Monarchs chapter of National Honor Society welcomed 13 new seniors to the academically high-achieving group.  The ceremony, which took place in the library, began at 2:30 and included eager students and proud parents in the intimate space.  The guitar club pleased the crowd with a beautiful rendition of “Hallelujah” that led right into the beginning of inductions.  NHS President Alexandria Smith welcomed the audience and inductees to the joyous occasion and the JROTC Color Guard presented the flags and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Surry expressed his pride in the candidates and shared that NHS inductions are his “favorite event of the year.”  Guest speaker Ms.Kelly Smith, Menchville’s Assistant Principal for Instruction,  took to the podium to share a few anecdotes about her time at Menchville as a student and the story of her kind grandfather, relating both back to one of the National Honor Society’s keystone principles: character.  After a round of applause, Ms.Smith returned to her seat and inductees’ names were called.

“I’m always happy to add our winter inductees to the group,” says Ashley Chassard, biology teacher and NHS sponsor.  “Having more people contributing to the work in the community that we do is excellent, and we welcome new members with open arms.”

Candidates were escorted to their seats at the front of the library by current members of the society, where they received a carnation and a certificate handed to them by Mr. Surry.  The lighting of the candidates candles, signifying the everlasting light of knowledge, took place once all inductees stood before their families, beaming, and the society’s oath was repeated after President Alex Smith.  “Our officers really pulled it off,” sighs Mrs. Chassard, referencing the 5-lady crew of officers that currently leads the society.  “Being the sponsor of a mainly student-led and governed organization makes me proud.”

The ceremony concluded with a reception for new members and their families that included a congratulatory cake and refreshments in the cafeteria.  The Sigma Monarch chapter now sits with membership at a healthy 56.