Five Whitehall High School alumni were inducted into the Zephyr Graduates of Distinction Class of 2014 recently in the high school auditorium.

The honorees were Paul H. Trively, Class of 1964; Lt. Gen. Richard S. Kramlich, USMC (Ret.), Class of 1969, Donna L. Miller Scholtis, Class of 1970; Brian A. Cocca, Ph.D., Esq., Class of 1993; and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Melissa J. Pammer, Class of 1994.

Trively's son Paul Trively III accepted the award on behalf of his deceased father. He encouraged the new National Honor Society inductees who were in attendance at the ceremony to refuse to allow challenges in life to prevent them from attaining success.

"Whatever it is that keeps you from being perfect, don't let it stop you," he said.

The Graduates of Distinction award is presented to WHS graduates who have attained academic achievement in the music, the arts, civic and military service, community service and significant personal achievement. The program officially began in 2011.

Kramlich urged the students to relish the difficult points in life.

"Don't be afraid of challenges; embrace challenges," he said.

Scholtis asked the students to accept alternative routes and ventures in life.

"I urge you to be open to different pathways because it may end up being exactly what you want," she said.

Cocca recommended to the students they embrace life's challenges, not shy away from them.

"Be brave," he said. "Identify the challenges, put them in front of you and go out and meet them."

Pammer told the students leaders sometimes are not born, but developed through experiences.

"It is important to bounce back," she added.

After the 2014 Graduates of Distinction inductees were honored, the high school accepted into its ranks new junior- and senior-class members of the National Honor Society.