Each year, the school hosts a National Honorary Induction Ceremony where students are inducted into specific honor societies based on excellence shown in various areas. Honorary Induction Night, which occurred Wednesday, April 19, welcomed students into the following societies: Mu Alpha Theta Math Honorary, International Thespians Troupe 520, Quill and Scroll, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Delta Epsilon Phi German Honorary, Société Honoraire de Français and National Art Honor Society.
There are various requirements students must achieve in order to qualify for each society, differing based on the organization. All societies require the inductees to maintain a certain grade point average and most include some sort of service aspect–whether that be tutoring before/after school, taking part in community service projects, etc. Each organization is nationally recognized and generally included on student resumes.
The school’s office manager, Naomi Jackson, is involved with the honor societies as a whole and serves as one of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honorary sponsors, alongside Mary Carson. Jackson’s favorite part of the ceremony is the inclusion of the students’ parents.
“Parents are invited to watch their students become members of these national organizations,” Jackson said. “This recognizes the achievements of the students so it’s nice to have the parents there.”
While six of the seven organizations were formed prior to this year, the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) made its debut for the school. Angela Fritz, NAHS sponsor, was a member of the society during high school and is thrilled about the new opportunity for her students to join as well.
“We did some really fun things [in NAHS] and it was nice to be recognized as an artist,” Fritz said. “We have been asked in the past about having an “art club” and I really wanted something that would recognize out artists in a more professional way. This is it.”
Whether a student excels in a foreign language, is a talented artist or actor, has a passion for journalism, or is proficient in math, the school offers many different honor societies for those interested and ready to take on the responsibilities.
“I think anyone who aspires to be recognized by a national society needs to take what they are pursuing seriously and set the highest level of standard they can for themselves and the group,” Fritz said. “In this way, they will be creating an organization that will be highly regarded and respected.”
For more information on a specific organizations or its requirements, contact program leader Elaine Gunderson.
