Meeting the requirements of scholarship, character, leadership and service, three new members were inducted into the Cleveland High School National Honor Society on Tuesday during a ceremony held in the auditorium.
They were, from left to right, Neenah Lassiter, Carson Lyons and Taylor Wolf. All are sophomores.
Academic achievements in grades nine through 12 determine scholastic standings. Participation in activities in and out of school is considered when evaluating service and leadership. Character comes from a wider range of considerations: maturity of attitude towards rules, regulations, class work, instructors and classmates.
Nominees also needed to supply a letter of recommendation.
About the candidates
Lassiter is the daughter of Andrea and Scott Lassiter. She is active in Student Council, the concert band, Red Folder Jazz Band, volleyball and the Cleveland Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is employed at Joann Fabrics in Mankato. She shows leadership by helping others and participating in school-led events and classes. She has served her community by fundraising for Hosanna Church, Sr. High Ministries, Our Saviors Lutheran Church and as a member of the Student Council.
Lyons is the son of Peter Lyons and Candace Lyons. He is active in football, basketball, baseball, the Student Mentor Program, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the concert band and the jazz bands. He helps at the Cleveland Open golf fundraiser each year. He is employed as a lifeguard at the Mankato YMCA. He shows leadership by being a basketball captain, a student mentor, and has been class president and class vice president since 7th grade. He has served his community by doing annual yard cleanup fundraising and volunteering to help run youth camps for football, basketball and baseball.
Wolf is the daughter of David and Katie Wolf. She is active in volleyball, basketball, softball, concert band, jazz band, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FFA and 4-H. She shows leadership by being a student council officer, a 4-H officer and a class officer. She has served her community as a volunteer for school sports camps, 4-H ditch cleanups, fire department kids carnivals and fundraisers.
About the induction ceremony
Principal Scott Lusk welcomed the crowd.
“The tradition of the Cleveland chapter of the National Honor Society will endure as long as students continue to work and do their best with the gifts and talents they have and lead others to do the same,” he said.
NHS president Maya Lassiter recounted the chapter’s history. Vice president Savannah Meyer recited the candle poem. Evelyn Keltgen lit the Torch of Knowledge. Anna Kawatski-Klein defined scholarship, Emma Bluhm defined character, Carter Kern defined leadership, and Vivian Hilfer defined service. Blake Lyons and NHS treasurer Jackson Bowen lit the corresponding virtue candles.
Lusk and social studies teacher Dave Cink presented the new members. Lassiter presented the membership cards. NHS advisor Amanda Whiteis presented seniors Lassiter, Meyer, Bowen, Keltgen and Blake Lyons with honor cords to wear during the graduation ceremony. All recited the NHS pledge. Lusk gave the closing remarks.
“Thank you parents and family for being here and instilling these character traits in your children,” he said. “I also want to thank the staff here and the rest of the students.”
About the NHS
The NHS is a nationwide organization. The Cleveland chapter of the NHS was organized in 1963. Charter members were Jane Alinder, James Beckel, Gary Dauk, Jane Dauk, Mary Grice, Betty Harty, Carol Krenik, Lee Ann Krenik, Ruth Ann Lloyd, Carol Jean Rosner, Rita Anne Schloesser, Chrystal Severson, Pat Traxler and Ronald Tschann. Over the years, 501 members have been inducted.
Business teacher Geraldine Davis was the first advisor. Home economics teacher Marge Cooney took over in 1969 and served until 1973. English teacher and librarian Virginia Grabow was advisor into the late 1990s when Linda Ross and student counselor Betty Jo Braun begin their tenure. Braun served for 17 years. From there, art teacher Bre Roberts and Spanish teacher Lupita Marchan advised the program until this year, when FACS teacher Whiteis took over.
NHS president Maya Lassiter recounted the chapter’s history.
NHS vice president Savannah Meyer recited the candle poem.
NHS member Evelyn Keltgen lit the Torch of Knowledge.
Anna Kawatski-Klein defined scholarship.
Emma Bluhm defined character.
Carter Kern defined leadership.
Vivian Hilfer defined service.
Jackson Bowen lit the candle of character.
Blake Lyons lit the candle of leadership.
Dave Cink introduced Neenah Lassiter.
Under the eye of her older sister, Neenah Lassiter lights her candle.
Scott Lusk introduced Carson Lyons.
Carson Lyons lights his candle.
Dave Cink introduced Taylor Wolf.
Taylor Wolf lights her candle.
Current member Savannah Meyer lights her candle.
Current member Vivian Hilfer lights her candle.
Current member Carter Kern lights his candle.
Current member Anna Kawatski-Klein lights her candle.
Current NHS members: Neenah Lassiter, Carson Lyons, Taylor Wolf, Maya Lassiter, Savannah Meyer, Jackson Bowen, Blake Lyons, Evelyn Keltgen, Vivian Hilfer, Carter Kern, Emma Bluhm and Anna Kawatski-Klein.
After the ceremony, food administrator Monica Manzey (right) and kitchen staff member Lisa Behsman (left) served a visually appealing and tasty selection of treats in the commons.