Above: NHS inductees include, front row left to right, Myah Boelk, Katie Beetz, Peyton Baird, Mia Artman, Pamela Taylor, Francisco Romero, Brittany Menzel, Rylee Klema, Adrian Espinoza and Karina Arteaga; back row, Katherine Wohrley, Jacob Stohr, Gillian Sondgeroth, Abby Phalen, Allison Olczak, Preston Lewis, Phalen Hessenberger, Lizandra Hernandez, Ilian Hernandez and Melyna Covarrubias.

Below: NHS current members include, front row left to right, Natalie Landgraf, Marie Barnickel, Morgan Marquis, Anthony Aughenbaugh, Iris Espinoza, Jessie Dooley, Gabriela Nanez and Gabrielle Peasley; back row, Bryson Prusator, Benjamin Bokus, Samuel Becker, Rutilio Arteaga, Madeline Hoelzer, Cheyenne West and Grace Brandner. (Photos contributed)

MENDOTA - The Mendota High School Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 20 students into full membership of the National Honor Society on Jan. 29. The induction took place at Mendota High School with NHS President Sam Becker conducting the ceremony. He was assisted by current members of the NHS. 

Becker spoke to the initiates and audience about the requirements and responsibilities of being a National Honor Society member. Other current members giving speeches included Madeline Hoelzer (scholarship), Bryson Prusator (character), Natalie Landgraf (service), and Iris Espinoza (leadership). Current members participating in the induction ceremony were vice-president Marie Barnickel, co-secretaries Ben Bokus and Morgan Marquis, and members, Rutilio Arteaga, Anthony Aughenbaugh, Grace Brandner, Jessie Dooley, Gabriela Nanez, Gabrielle Peasley and Cheyenne West.

The initiates received a pin, certificate and candle as symbols of the National Honor Society. Those inducted were Class of 2018 members Karina Arteaga, Adrian Espinoza, Rylee Klema, Brittany Menzel, Francisco Romero and Pamela Taylor. Class of 2019 members included Mia Artman, Peyton Baird, Katie Beetz, Myah Boelk, Melyna Covarrubias, Ilian Hernandez, Lizandra Hernandez, Phalen Hessenberger, Preston Lewis, Allison Olzcak, Abby Phalen, Gillian Sondgeroth, Jacob Stohr and Katherine Wohrley.

To qualify for NHS at Mendota High School, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Then the teachers rate each student on their observations of the candidate’s service, character, and leadership. The final selection is made by a committee comprised of 7-9 faculty members, an administrator, and the National Honor Society sponsor. The new members and families are then notified of the selection.

Students’ names are on file at the offices of the National Association of Secondary School Principals as well as in the school’s file. Members wear a gold NHS stole at graduation and have a special designation on their diplomas.