The National Honor Society exists to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character, but for 59 Laurence Manning Academy students it is much more than that.
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, LMA’s top upperclassmen in academics and community service were honored in a special ceremony that inducted the school’s first class to NHS. LMA Headmaster Dr. Spencer Jordan said that he was proud of the students, and that with this honor they are to serve as role models to others and reflect the values that the honor society entails.
The National Honor Society’s motto is "To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools."
“This is more than just academic achievement,” Jordan said. “It’s about putting others ahead of what you do, and giving selflessly to those who cannot provide for themselves.”
Sophomores, juniors and seniors with a 4.0 GPA were selected for the honor, and those with a 3.75 GPA had to apply to be in the organization. A school committee evaluated the applications and chose the candidates that displayed the character traits that best matched the organizations standards.
“We’ve wanted to have an organization that promotes leadership and services to others for a long time now,” said Dinah Swygert, advisor to the organization. “This was the perfect organization to display our students’ success and to encourage them to serve others.”
Tripp Boykin, LMA high school principal, encouraged the students to continue being humble and genuine in all that they do.
“You are leaders because of who you are, by the way you perform and your unique qualities make you essential members of the community,” he said. “I encourage you to be honest to yourself, to those around you and to be selfless in your actions. Serve as examples to others.”
The inductees are already planning a meeting for their first service project.
