“I pledge myself to uphold the high purposes of the National Honor Society to which I have been selected.”
With these words, 107 Ocean Lakes juniors officially joined one of the nation’s most prestigious high school organizations on April 16. The induction ceremony, held in the Ocean Lakes auditorium, celebrated students who have demonstrated the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character.
“The four pillars are essential in today’s school environment because a well-rounded person has a balance of each of the four pillars,” advisor Ashley Adams said. “No one part is more important than the other.”
The ceremony featured the traditional lighting of the four candles, each representing a core pillar. Guest speaker and former Ocean Lakes principal Dr. Claire LeBlanc encouraged new inductees to look beyond their transcripts and focus on the weight of the word “honor.”
“Achievement opens the door, but honor is what sustains you once you walk through it. Honor gives meaning to your intelligence and direction to your talent,” LeBlanc said.
The former principal also challenged the students to see their induction as a commitment to “a way of life” rather than just another line on a resume.
“In other words, this organization is not simply recognizing how smart you are,” LeBlanc said. “It is recognizing how you choose to live your life.”
The event concluded with a reception for families and staff. These new members will join the current chapter in upcoming projects, including Clean the Bay Day taking place on May 2.
