Merton Williams Middle School inducted 50 students into the Hilton Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society on February 13.
The ceremony opened with Principal Tracie Czebatol welcoming the audience and inductees. “So much of how you got here came from inside you,” she told the inductees. “You have passion, you have desire, you aim to be the best versions of yourself in everything you do.”
Samantha Fisher, Alexander Richmond, Lauryn Mangiacapre, Isabella Smith, Samantha Wetzel, Evan Hazard, Alyssa Andraki, Amanda Simpson, Karlee Hargather and Ava Parkhurst participated in the candle lighting ceremony where they described the five characteristics of membership – scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.
Advisors Mia Geiger and Emma Lenhard spoke about each inductee’s accomplishments as they walked across the stage to be congratulated by administrators, receive their pin, sign the registry, and then together recite the oath.
Criteria for induction include a 95 percent grade point average, two leadership activities and community service hours.
Reggie Gerig, Merton Williams science teacher, was selected as the guest speaker. He told the audience a story about his time in college and the lessons he learned. “Failure is a part of life, so take advantage of it … I am not perfect … I know what’s best for me more than others … Take time for yourself, doing something you enjoy and building relationships with others,” he told the inductees.
The ceremony concluded with the new inductees handing their parents personal letters of thanks.
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