April is a new beginning for National Honor Society, a prestigious, scholarly, and service organization for high school students. The NHS Induction Ceremony welcomed 13 members to the local organization on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at Morrison High School, 643 Genesee Avenue, Morrison, IL. There are now 55 members.
Principal Scott Vance welcomed the students and their families and introduced the 22 current members: Billie Jean Conner, Madison Cromwell, Brock Deter, Morgan DeVorah, Heather Elfline, Kaitlyn Finneran, Kaitlyn Fricker, Calvin Harridge, Savannah Horn, Victoria Horn, Caitlynn Kruse, Madaline Kull, Gregory Magana, Kyle Meurs, Cassandra Meurs, Samuel Ottens, Alyssa Patten, Olivia Vander Bleek, Alexander Volckmann, Alex Weeks, Matthew Wilkens, and Alyssa Workman.
Kruse introduced eight of these scholars, who provided special musical entertainment. They were Elfline (vocalist), Fricker (timpany), Savannah Horn (woodwind duet on flute), Victoria Horn (woodwind duet on clarinet), Cassandra Meurs (piano duet), Patten (piano duet), Vander Bleek (vocalist), and Workman (French horn.)
The purpose of National Honor Society and criteria for membership were explained as candles were lit:
- Purpose–Cromwell
- Service–Wilkens
- Leadership–Finneran
- Scholarship–Magana
- Character–Harridge.
Kull conducted the Induction Ceremony. The names of 13 inductees were recited by Conner, Deter, DeVorah, Kyle Meurs, and Weeks. They placed gold and blue cords around the neck of each student and presented a certificate of membership to honor the occasion.
Shown left-to-right are the new members: Hannah Rillie, Abby Mickley, Allison Wiersema, Brandi Hosford, Sarah VenHuizen, Anna Hogue, Cassidy VanZuiden, Elizabeth Buckwalter, Trever Troutman, Hannah Blacklock, Katherine Bird, Morgan McCulloh, and Jessica Wieneke.
As one voice the NHS members–led by Volckmann–recited the National Honor Society Pledge: “I pledge myself always to seek the light of truth, to hold scholarly habits, to engage in worthy service, and to lead forward to all things that shall advance the welfare of the school.”
Ottens concluded the program and invited the audience to enjoy refreshments in the cafeteria.