Leadership celebrated at Honor Society induction
Published on February 7th, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - With the darkened cafeteria illuminated by the flickering candles clasped in each of the honoree's hands, Stoneham High School's National Honor Society chapter welcomed 28 newcomers this week.
Held on Monday evening within the high school cafeteria, the induction ceremony celebrated the four attributes required for entry into the organization, qualities that each of the 28 finalists had to demonstrate during the application process.
Remarking on the first quality, leadership, Jonathan Berkman, the local National Honor Society's President, contended that being a leader meant more than just holding an important rank or title.
Specifically Berkman, remarked that true leaders can easily be picked-out from a crowd, often in the most trying of times, not because of their position, but rather by their actions.
"Some of us take on leadership roles in school. Others contribute in the broader community. But merely assuming a title or position does not make us leaders in itself," said the organization president.
"Difficult circumstances often separate leaders from followers. The challenge is for us not to sit back and wait for someone else to act," Berkman added.
Summing up the second quality, scholarship, the town organization's Vice-President Leah Turino congratulated the inductees for their hard work - not the least of which required that each student to achieve a 4.0 weighted G.P.A.
Telling the group of finalists that their quest for knowledge would continue into the coming years, Turino challenged the group to always be willing to share that information with others.
"You have a talent that can lead you to success far beyond high school. After all, knowledge is of little use until you put it into practice," the Honor Society vice-president said. Be proud of your accomplishments and be ready to share your knowledge with others."
"We live in a world where possibilities are limitless. You will face struggles on your path to knowledge. Do not fear defeat, but instead look beyond it," the SHS student further advised.
On the third attribute, character, Divya Kanneganti told the inductees that true success in life could only be gained by making honorable choices, decisions guided by each person's underlying character.
According to the Honor Society Treasurer, while upholding a solid character may result in few visible rewards in life, the attribute was one thing that could never be stripped from a person willing to uphold it.
"Someone with character holds onto his opinions and morals at all times, rather than when it's convenient. Character is the hardest trait to achieve, because there is no tangible reward," Kanneganti said. "But character is the one thing that can't be taken away from you."
Lastly, Honor Society Secretary Katelynn Conlon touched upon the service requirement, suggesting that service is something that all people should be willing to undertake in order to benefit the larger community.
"Service is the seedling that holds back the erosion of apathy. One person is capable of [thinking it all out], but it takes a team to get it done. We need to help those that cannot help themselves," said Conlon.
In addition to celebrating the 28 inductees, the local Honor Society chapter recognized a faculty member who had possessed all the qualities required for membership into the organization.
Recognized as an honorary inductee into the Honor Society, SHS psychology and economics teacher Dennis Mulvihill was lauded for his encouragement of high school students over the years.
"He will retire at the close of this year. He has accomplished far beyond the imaginable," said Turino of the SHS teacher. "You will know him as the friendly face in the hallway or the comic relief in the equipment room."
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