On March 16, 23 students from the Byron-Bergen Junior/Senior High School were inducted as new members of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). They proudly joined the 30 standing members of the school’s NJHS.
The NJHS program highlights the well-rounded students at Byron-Bergen. Inductees are selected based on their high standards of scholarship, citizenship, service, leadership, and character. All members must demonstrate their achievements in each of these areas. The 2016 new members include:
•Seventh Grade – Nicholas Baubie, Bianca Brumsted, Emily Chaback, Jonah Clare, Richard Denson, Joshua Fleming, Eden Goff, Sara Goodman, Hope Hersom, Kelly Ireland, Colby Leggo, Gavin Lewis, John Mercovich, Bryanne Puma, Alaura Rehwaldt, Joshua Swapceinski, Xavier Thomas and Matthew Zwerka.
•Eighth Grade – Elizabeth Donnelly, Kyle Foeller, Chad Green and Caleb Sharpe.
•Ninth Grade – Sabastian Pawlukewicz.
NJHS President Abby Vurraro addressed the audience and told of a recent meeting with her idol Jennie Finch, the University of Arizona NCAA softball champion and Olympic gold medalist. Vurraro shared Finch’s motto of “Dream and Believe.” She challenged her fellow members to “be determined to push the limits even if no one believes you can.”
The induction ceremony featured two additional guest speakers: Byron-Bergen math teacher Tiffany Luksch and social studies teacher Bryan Kavanaugh.
Luksch shared examples of how individuals with drive and determination are “able to overcome adversity and challenging circumstances with strength and resilience.” She told the stories of several young activists, including education advocate Malala Yousafzai; 14-year-old feminist Julia Bluhm, who challenged Seventeen Magazine to portray real women; ambitious 13-year-old Neveah Mosher, who challenged herself to read over 300 books a year; and Jack Andraka, a high school sophomore who invented a new method to detect pancreatic cancer. She then shared a personal story of a current student at Byron-Bergen who has also overcome great challenges.
Kavanaugh’s speech continued the empowering message. He shared a quote he had placed on his classroom whiteboard from one of the most powerful businesswomen in the country, NBCUniversal Cable Chairman Bonnie Hammer: “The biggest mistake to me is complacency.” Kavanaugh applauded the students for their accomplishments so far in life, but also challenged them to not become complacent and always strive to improve.
As part of the induction ceremony, each new inductee received a certificate and pin, and the distinct honor to be a part of the National Junior Honor Society. Over a million students participate in NJHS.Membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but also challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.
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