Fifteen high school students were inducted into the National Honors Society during a special ceremony held on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
As NHS member Amelia Sullens explained, the organization began in 1921 to recognize academic achievement and encourage other attributes “essential to citizens in a democracy.” These characteristics are highlighted in the annual ceremony by the lighting of candles that reflect the pillars of scholarship, character, service, and leadership.
Guest speaker Scott Jacobson, high school ag-sciences teacher, elaborated on the pillars, noting that students can’t be a member of the NHS on grades alone.
In service, he expressed a hope that the students would understand the impact they have when they serve others. Quoting Winston Churchill, he said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Leadership, he explained, is about inspiring peers, nurturing collaboration, and championing positive change, and character is “a foundation upon which service, leadership, and academic excellence can express themselves.”
These pillars are not innate, but learned through experience and by those around us, Jacobson told the students and parents. And to that, he thanked the parents and guardians for their role in shaping the students who were inducted this evening. He then advised the students to keep going forward.
“Today, each of you excels in the area of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The challenge before you is to increase and strengthen yourselves in the areas through practice and experience,” he said. “Being inducted into the National Honor Society is not the finish line. Rather, it is only the beginning of living and experiencing lives of incredible potential.”
Alonna Baker
Alonna, 16, is the daughter of Alicia and Michael Baker. A junior, she has a 3.9 GPA and plans to go to college to pursue a career in education or mathematics. To do well in school, she says, “The most important thing someone needs to do well is a good work ethic.”
Ashley Duncan
Ashley, 16, is the daughter of Misty and Jason Duncan. A junior, she has a 3.9 GPA and wants to attend Oregon State University to practice veterinary medicine. To do well in school, she says, “Stay on top of your work.”
Levi Ensley
Levi, 16, is the son of Tina and Anthony Ensley. A junior, he has a 4.0 GPA and would like to continue choir somehow; he is also considering going to beauty school. To do well in school, he says, “Pay attention, participate, and ask questions if needed.”
Caden Foley
Caden, 15, is the son of Andi Foley. A junior, he has a 3.8 GPA and wants to attend Oregon Statue University to study agriculture. He says “doing your work and having a good work ethic” is important for doing well in school.
Abbigale Larsen
Abbigale, 17, is the daughter of Catrina and Dewayne Larsen. A senior, she has a 3.6 GPA and plans on attending Western Oregon University, and later becoming a lawyer. To do well in school, she says, “Show up and do your best.”
Eleanor Larsen
Eleanor, 16, is the daughter of Katrina and Blair Larsen. A junior, she has a 4.0 GPA and plans on going to college for English education and linguistics. She would like to teach high school English or teach English in a foreign country. To do well in school, she says it’s important “to have the desire to succeed.”
Anabelle Morris
Anabelle, 16, is the daughter of Joanna and Joe Morris. A junior, she has a 4.0 GPA and wants to major in marine biology at a university to become a marine veterinarian. To do well in school, she says, it’s important to have “the want and/or drive to succeed.”
Ivan Ogden
Ivan, 17, is the son of Pam and Jason Ogden. A senior, he has a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend George Fox University to get a degree in computer engineering. To do well in school, he says, “Make sure you study and don’t procrastinate.”
Luke Rosa
Luke, 16, is the son of Kayla and Joe Rosa. A junior, he has a 4.0 GPA and wants to go to college to get a degree in business. To do well in school, he says, “The most important thing you can do is try, that’s all.”
Madison Sailors
Madison, 17, is the daughter of Misty and Jaysen Cunningham. A junior, she has a 3.89 GPA and wants to go to college, but isn’t sure yet what career she wants to pursue. To do well in school, she says, “I think perseverance is key to succeeding.”
Shayne Schuster
Shayne, 16, is the son of Destiny and Shaun. A senior, he has a 3.96 GPA and wants to attend a four-year university to become a teacher. To do well in school, he says, “Pay attention. You got this.”
Elisha Scofield
Elisha, 16, is the son of Yari and Ian Scofield. A junior, he has a 4.2 GPA and plans to attend Oregon State University and pursue engineering. To do well in school, he says, “Put in effort and want a positive relationship with others.”
Dylan Sharp
Dylan, 17, is the son of Raande and Dean Sharp. A senior, he has a 4.16 GPA and plans to dual-enroll with Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University. To do well in school, he says to “be very timely and not procrastinate.”
Trinity Victor
Trinity, 16, is the daughter of Jennifer and Josh Victor. A junior, she has a 4.0 GPA and would like to go to SANS Technology Institute to study cybersecurity. To do well in school, she says, “I think that in order to succeed, you need motivation and dedication.”
Victoria Victor
Victoria, 15, is the daughter of Jennifer and Josh Victor. A sophomore, she has a 4.0 GPA and wants to attend University of Oregon to get a degree in teaching with a minor in psychology so she can teach English and psychology at Sweet Home High School. To do well in school, she says, “All you need is focus and resilience to do great things.”