Dedham High School Honors Inductees to National Honor Society...

It all began back in1921 – 95 years ago – when Edward S. Rynearson, Principal of the Fifth Avenue High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania formed a select group of students he determined were the “best of the best.”

There had been other students and other organizations prior to this, but for the first time, we saw the formation of a group that recognized students nationwide – the National Honor Society.

The main purpose of the National Honor Society was to create enthusiasm for knowledge, to promote leadership, to stimulate students to render their services to others and to develop character in those chosen.

The motto of the NHS is “noblesse oblige” derived from the French saying that one must act in the manner that conforms with one`s position – the noble must be noble!

Nowadays, membership in the National Honor Society is still based on a student`s fulfillment of four requirements – scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Each year here at Dedham High School, and at high schools across the nation, eligible students are asked to complete an application and write an essay about themselves.

Tirelessly, teacher advisors (Carol Margolis and Kathleen Dearborn – DHS) along with an anonymous group of faculty members, review all of this information and set up interviews with each eligible student, a process that takes weeks.

Speaking with Ms. Margolis before this year`s induction ceremony, we found that 24 DHS students (22 young men and women from grade 12 and 2 from grade 12) will be joining the 30 current graduating seniors (class 2017) and that both teachers and administration at the High School couldn`t be more proud.

These students not only improve the school, but enhance the community as a whole. This group has a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5, demonstrates their influence with their peers, inspires positive behavior in others, maintains a loyal school attitude, is willing to represent their class, participates in activities outside of school, and shows honesty and reliability to all those around them!

On Monday evening, November 21st, the 2016-2017 NHS inductees filed in to the Dedham High School Auditorium and were greeted to a very warm reception. State Representative Paul McMurtry, Superintendent Michael Welch, Principal Ron McCarthy, Vice Principals Jim Forrest and Kristy Yankee, and School Committee members Susan Butler and Tracey White joined a host of faculty members and student peers in congratulating the new honorees.

Current DHS National Honor Society President, Erin Gilmore, served as a speaker throughout the event and kept the program running smoothly. Superintendent Welch and Principal McCarthy were proud of these, the finest members of our community, and told the group to stay strong and be brave while leading others. Dedham High School and NHS alum, Gabriella Iarrobino shared her memories of Dedham High and provided all with a taste of her levity.

Representative McMurtry provided a heartfelt touch welcoming the new members to this prestigious organization and told the young men and women that their actions have not gone unnoticed!

We would like to extend our thanks for all these students have done to date for our community and wish them our very best as their lives unfold.

The Dedham High School 2016 National Honor Society Members now include:

Eric Alban – Kalyn Ashby – Isabella Badeau – Marley Belanger – Katherine Bondar – Alyssa Casali – Rena Coben – Andrew Czazasty – Benjamin Dean – Ross Dillon – Katherine Flynn – Emma Francis – Leah Goffredo – Kathryn Hayes – Alannah Heffernan – Abby Jenest – Corey Kilroy – Evan Landry – Nicolas Mercuri – Maeve O`Connor – Alexander Pappas-McAllister – Shanaya Theodore.