New NHS inductees honored

December 3, 2009 • written by Emily Goyda  
Filed under News

Sixty-three KHS students stood in straight rows, anxiously waiting their names to be announced Nov. 7. An exclusive society welcomed new members at a small ceremony in the Donald Ducheck library that evening.

Though KHS is not home to a secret society, it does host National Honor Society (NHS), a group for students who excel academically as well as exhibit exceptional character. Those involved call the club “prestigious.”

After the new inductees entered the room to a round of applause, the ceremony started with words from Rachel Cosic, counselor and sponsor of the society, and wrapped up approximately 45 minutes later with words of thanks to parents from KHS principal Dr. David Holley. NHS president Katie Cox, vice president Angela Seley, secretary Claire Heinicke and promotions chair Kate Fitzgerald all offered the 63 inductees advice about ways to continue excelling now that they are a part of NHS. Senior principal Mike Wade and junior principal Christine Lindquist shared wisdom about the positive effects of belonging to NHS as well.

English teacher Sean McCarthy was the featured speaker for the night. He shared a personal essay discussing the multiple selves each person houses and those selves’ roles in helping the new NHS become successful. In addition, he discussed paradoxes like “work is fun,” “stress is healthy” and “service makes you richer” and their roles in shaping students.

Acceptance to NHS is based on four pillars: scholarship, leadership, service and character.  In order to join NHS, students must submit an application detailing their academic accomplishments as well as any volunteer work or extracurricular activities they participate in, current members said. According to Lindquist, the new inductees all exemplified the characteristics expected.

“I’m incredibly proud of the number of students in one class that truly exhibit these fabulous qualities,” Lindquist said.

New inductees like Mary Kleiss, junior, said being a part of NHS felt “amazing,” and call membership “a great honor.”

Those already a part like Molly Von Doersten, senior, support the new members. “I’m really proud of all of them. It’s a great honor,” Von Doersten said.

For students hoping to apply to NHS in the future, advice from both members and administrators is consistent: keep up your grades. Both groups also urge potential members to participate in their communities.

“I know some students were disappointed they didn’t get in,” Lindquist said. “But it only had to do with someone’s community service. The character and the academics of kids that applied was exceptional, and it came down to that community service.”

Students echo Lindquist’s stress on the importance of community service, and add that students need to be aware of their actions. They urge potential members to make good choices in social situations in addition to excelling academically.

“Do community service,” Von Doersten said. “Keep your grades up and don’t do anything stupid that could keep you from getting in.”