Cranberry High School students promising to uphold the values of the National Honor Society.
By ANDREA WATSON
Student Contributor
On Thursday, March 28th, seventeen students from Cranberry High School were inducted into the National Honor Society. Five school board members were present to congratulate the inductees on their achievement.
After the ceremony concluded, inductees and their families were invited to enjoy refreshments in the commons at Cranberry. Once inducted, students must maintain a 93% cumulative grade point average and perform community service regularly. All inductees, past and present, exhibit good character in school, extracurricular events, and the community.
Achieving acceptance into the National Honor Society is an outstanding achievement that reflects academic capabilities and overall excellent character. The National Honor Society was established in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Over one million students are estimated to be apart of National Honor Society throughout the United States and various regions of Canada.
The Wilson Chapter of National Honor Society, which is the local chapter, was established in 1969 by Robert Wilson and Kathryn Wilson, both teachers at Cranberry. Wendy McKain is the current advisor for Cranberry’s National Honor Society.
There are four main purposes of National Honor Society that are reflected through its emblem, a glowing torch. On the torch are the letters S, S, L, and C, standing for scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
The first purpose of NHS is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, which translates into encouraging individuals to increase their academic skill and inspire others through learning.
The second purpose is to stimulate a desire to render service. This means that the National Honor Society will provoke members to continue to engage with their community through volunteering or deeds of kindness.
The third purpose of NHS is to promote leadership within schools and communities. National Honor Society members should be leaders in their community, causing positive change and consistently reflecting good morality on others.
The final purpose is to develop the character of individuals who are a part of NHS. Good character can be further developed by maintaining morals that the National Honor Society provides and supports students through interaction with the community and academic growth.
For students to be considered for acceptance into the Wilson Chapter, they must complete an application on which they are required to list all extracurricular activities, clubs, or community events that they have participated in throughout high school. Students must also submit an essay as to why they aspire to be a member of the National Honor Society, including how they will continue to help excel the community. In addition, the principal or assistant principal of Cranberry is required to sign a paper confirming that no serious disciplinary actions have been needed in regards of the student. When reviewing applications, McKain allows the staff to provide commentary and suggestions on a student’s character and skills.
After the inductees are selected, an annual induction ceremony is held. McKain and several National Honor Society members begin the ceremony by giving speeches about the pillars of NHS. With each speech, members light candles that represent the pillars of NHS, including character, scholarship, leadership, service, and, conclusively, the candle of knowledge. Inductees are then escorted on stage one at a time to be recognized for their achievements. New inductees sign the Book of National Honor Society, which contains signatures of previous inductees into the Wilson Chapter. Students then receive a NHS pin and recite the National Honor Society Oath, along side returning NHS members.
Andrea Watson is a student at Cranberry High School and a member of Cranberry Chronicles, the school’s journalism/publications group.
