Local honor society prepares to induct new members

For 95 years, National Honor Society (NHS) has been providing high achieving students with opportunities to emerge as leaders both in the classroom and in their communities.

The Lind-Ritzville High School NHS Chapter is no exception.

Local NHS students have been working hard to improve themselves as scholars, leaders, and productive members of society to fulfill their honor society pledge.

On Wednesday, Feb. 24, Lind-Ritzville’s NHS will induct four new members from the graduating class of 2018: Morgan Lane, Emily Rosen, Camden Smith and Emma Aldrich.

A cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or above is required, to gain acceptance into the club, along with an application considered by existing chapter members and advisor Kerry Murphy.

The new inductees will join a pool of over one million existing NHS members, that the club’s website reports are represented in “all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. territories, and Canada.”

NHS has been building up its members since 1921 when the National Association of Secondary School Principals, led by Dr. Edward Ryndearson of Fifth Avenue High School in Pittsburgh, founded NHS.

According to their website, NHS “Though many local and regional honor societies existed prior to 1921, no nationwide organization had been founded… The original Alpha Chapter at the Fifth Avenue School grew to more than 1,000 chapters by 1930.”

The purpose of NHS has remained unchanging throughout the club’s history: “to create enthusiasm for scholarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote leadership; and to develop character in the students of secondary schools. These purposes also translate into the criteria used for membership selection in each local chapter.”

Two soon-to-be member Morgan Lane, membership is validation of her success.

She explained, “I wanted to apply to National Honor Society because it looks good on a college application and (it proves) I work hard. A membership to me means recognition for all the hard work I do and the stress that I go through. I look forward to the experiences through community service.”

“I wanted to join National Honor Society because I wanted to be a part of a group of students that value their academics and community service as much as I do,” inductee Emily Rosen said.

“Membership (is) a commitment to my community and myself, a commitment to serve and to set good examples for others. I look forward to the community service projects, they will be the most fun and useful to people.”

This year, Lind-Ritzville’s NHS has continued to coordinate local blood drives, cited by current member Raeann Hoeft to be their biggest contribution to the community.

She said, “To me, it’s almost a reward to be in honor society. It means you have worked hard, maintained good grades, and are a well-rounded person. It’s an accomplishment that you get to share with others, including colleges.”

The club has upcoming plans to improve the leadership, scholarship, service and character of its members at the benefit of the community.

Dinah Gadberry explained, “We’re planning to go to the Adams County Animal Shelter and volunteer. I’ve volunteered there before and thought it would be great to take the whole club.”

NHS prides themselves on being more than an honor roll, but for helping scholars to better themselves and those around them: “Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.”

Gadberry concluded, “I don’t think it’s just about grades… is a club for students who want to stand out above others.”