National Honor Society Welcomes 25 Inductees

By Halyey Schneider

Twenty-five Ledyard High School students – six seniors and 19 juniors – were inducted into the school’s Serena B. Mowry Chapter of the National Honor Society during a Nov. 21 ceremony. The students were selected based on the four pillars of the society: scholarship, leadership, character and service.

Mayor Fred B. Allyn Jr. began the program, noting the positive impact the National Honor Society has had on Ledyard over the years. Allyn wished the inductees the best of luck on their journey into this service organization and thanked current members for all they have contributed to the town.

Mayor Allyn also presented official Town of Ledyard pins to veteran members.

Inducted into the Serena B. Mowry Chapter of the National Honor Society were:

Abigail Bora, Grace Chattin, Kimberly Codding, Deanna Daugherty, Kayla Fowler, Marguerite France, Kylie Fustini, Ashley Giordano, Michaela Holland, Michael Hughes, Kelsey Johnson, Gregory Knight, Benjamin Lahti, Ashley Marquardt, Ian Maxwell, Rachael Miller, Kelsey Nixon, Justin Patrick, Samantha Porter, Qiuyin Ren, Anthony Saccone, Christof Wegiel, Rose Marie Welles, Lucy Zhang and Yushan Zhang.

Four senior members gave speeches describing what each of the society’s four pillars means to them; Erin Strickland spoke on leadership, Porter Reim on scholarship, Tori Jones on service, and Hayley Schneider on character.

The school’s girls acapella group, Acabellas, performed three songs for the attendees. Poet Laureate Callie Bateman recited an original poem, “Generations,” and keynote speaker Amanda Fagan enlightened inductees with a tale of Tupperware. 

Fagan spoke of a dream she had had about induction night in which she gave a speech on Tupperware. She portrayed a dream that seemed odd, yet used it to encourage the inductees to not be wary of following any dream they may have.

By the end of the ceremony, four candles had been lit representing each pillar and the 25 inductees had recited the oath pledging their commitment to the society.

Generations

By Callie Bateman

Charged as they are to right the wrongs,

Rest easy, your trust is not misplaced.

Caution them, teach them,

Grow them, mold them,

Rest easy, your trust is not misplaced.

Bright eyes and fresh faces,

Together with eager, willing hands,

Gifted minds with new ideas,

Rest easy, your trust is not misplaced.

You ever uncertain about yesterday,

And too much today to bother,

Rest easy, your trust is not misplaced;

Tomorrow is taken care of.