The 2020-2021 Clarion-Goldfield-Dows National Honor Society Induction Ceremony was held in the CGDHS Library on Monday, May 3rd at 5:30pm. The induction ceremony featured keynote speaker, Dr. Andrew Odland, a candle lighting ceremony, chapter pledge and signing of the official chapter registry book. This year’s ceremony was performed by nine members of the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows chapter of the National Honor Society along with Mrs. Shannon Leist, chapter advisor.
The current chapter members were each inducted into the CGD chapter of NHS in May of 2019. These members include Alaina Friesleben, Kendall Lienemann, Raven Kinnetz, Natalie Kirstein, Reed Abbas, Shelbi Braun, Emma Keller, Jacqueline Lopez and Tessa Warnke. At Monday’s ceremony these nine NHS members performed a reading and candle lighting ceremony highlighting the four pillars of the National Honor Society that are required for membership. They then led the thirty-four new inductees in the reciting of the chapter pledge.
One by one, new inductees were invited forward to receive their official chapter certificate presented to them by CGDHS Principal, Paul Hansch. Following the receiving of their chapter certificate members were then invited to sign the official chapter registry book. The navy leather bound book is adorned in gold with the NHS emblem. Starting in 2015, advisor Shannon Leist started having members sign this book when they were inducted. It is hoped that this book will provide a running record of past & current members of the National Honor Society, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Chapter.
The induction ceremony was different from the year's past in that there were members inducted from three different academic years, all in the same night. The first to be inducted was senior, Madison Bierl. Madison was unable to attend the 2019 ceremony due to a family medical emergency. It was a joyful site to not only see Madison inducted, but to see that her family members were all there also, to celebrate her accomplishment.
Next up were the 2020 inductees. These twenty-one members were invited to become National Honor Society members in the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Chapter last spring. Like so many things the 2020 NHS Ceremony was not able to take place. These 21 students have been incredibly patient and resilient. They’ve earned the bragging rights of “good things come to those who wait”! It was a heartwarming time to see them accept their membership invitations.
Lastly our 2021 inductees were invited to the front to each accept their membership invitation. There were twelve new members who met the standards set by the National Honor Society organization and were invited to join after a CGD Faculty Council reviewed their candidacy. These twelve students, like their fellow members, bring with them the highest traits of good leadership, scholarship, character and service.
The National Honor Society is the nation’s premier organization to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since it’s beginning in 1921.
It is both an honor and a privilege to work with these 43 young adults who have so much to give and have demonstrated the standards we want all students to strive for at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School. Congratulations to all of these outstanding CGD students!