Don’t wander through life aimlessly, SHHS Supt. Pat Stineff challenged members of the National Honor Society Monday evening during the induction of new members.
“You need to set goals and you need to set them high if you’re going to reach your full potential,” Stineff said.
It’s important to further one’s education, she emphasized. The average income for someone without a high school education was $16,000 in 1999. That amount increases markedly with continuing education. Someone with a bachelors degree can expect to average $45,000 a year, while someone with a masters degree will top $55,000. Professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, can expect to earn more than $100,000 per year.
“We all know stories about people who didn’t finish school yet excelled at life, but they are the exception, not the rule,” Stineff said. “Even more important than the money you’ll earn with a degree, an education allows you to do what you want to do. You’re going to work a long time and you might as well have a job or career that you enjoy. It makes a big difference in your life.”
Students should be involved at school and continue that involvement in their communities after graduation, Stineff said.
“You need to set priorities in life, too,” she said. “As teenagers, you will often put your friends ahead of your family. You’ll someday learn that family is very important. You’ll never regret spending time with your family.”
Stineff urged the young persons to take responsibility for their actions and to understand that all things happen to us because of choices we make.
The induction ceremony was directed by NHS president Megan Foucht.
NHS inductees were: Analidia Andrade, Samantha Angoletta, Bethany Butler, Amanda Comer, Emily Coulter, Frank Coulter, Jacob Culley, Amanda Dant, Breanna Day, Lesli Dimick, Wendy Eldredge, Elizabeth Fitzsimons, Kye Frick, Laci Gaskey, Tyler Hay, Aaron Hegge, Angela Henderson, Ryan Hightower, Kara Howell, Jared Huenergardt, Jackie Jarrell, Mandy Jarrell, Mallory Justam, Danielle Lee, John Lovik, Joel Mather, Felecia Matthews, Tera Meola, Jamie Miller, Tonie Nelson, Ashley Pauley, Tory Petersen, Ryan Rains, Katelyn Reynolds, Pamela Reynolds, Robert Rice, Joe Rosa, Michael Smitasin, Nathan Snyder, K.C. Stokes, Chelsie Sutten, Kyle Temple, Eric Teschner and Michael Tuller.