Students, faculty and family gathered March 28 at Salisbury High School to celebrate the induction of 33 new members of National Honor Society. For the most part, the students are sophomores, but two are juniors.

The honorees gathered in the school library dressed in academic robes and waited to be called to the auditorium for the ceremony. Parents and other relatives took their seats in the front of the stage.

On signal the candidates for induction into one of the most prestigious academic organizations open to eligible high school students proceeded to the auditorium.

Salisbury High School Principal Heather Morningstar opened the ceremony. “You are in good company,” Morningstar said.

She urged the new members to embrace the “four pillars of National Honor Society: character, scholarship, leadership and service.”

Associate Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten urged the students to recognize the “key quality” of leadership “that can influence others.”

“You are willing to find your weaknesses to grow into them,” Fuini-Hetten added.

SHS National Honor Society President Olivia Hoeing addressed the assembly and offered her advice: “If you want to have joy and happiness, then help others with all of your heart.”

National Honor Society Vice President Zachary Arner continued to offer philosophical advice: “Watch your habits – they become your character. Watch your character – it becomes your destiny.”

Treasurer of the high school’s National Honor Society, Lily Schimineck, captured one of the realities of being a top scholar.

“It is likely they get the least amount of sleep of anybody in high school.”

According to a spokesperson at the national headquarters of the organization, National Honor Society is a nationwide organization for high school students in the United States and outlying territories, which consists of many chapters in high schools. Selection is based on four criteria: scholarship, leadership, service and character. While the national academic standard is a 3.0 (B), individual schools are authorized to set higher standards if they want.

SHS’s standards are higher than the society’s national minimum. Salisbury requires students maintain a 93 (A) average. Selection is also based on a character evaluation and an essay.

Since 1946, National Honor Society has given out more than $15 million in scholarship awards. In the 2018-2019 school year, 600 awards will be distributed, including one national winner ($25,000), 24 national finalists ($5,625 each) and 575 national semifinalists ($3,200 each)