Almost 60 new members were expected to join an already growing student organization at Goodrich High School Nov. 30.
Bill Duso, a GHS English teacher and co-sponsor of the GHS chapter of the National Honor Society, said 57 students will be inducted into the NHS that evening at the Raymond Green Performing Arts Center at GHS. The ceremony took place after this edition of The Citizen went to press.
The newest induction class included four seniors, eight juniors and 45 sophomores, bringing the chapter’s total membership to 154. That total represents 21.7 percent of the total GHS student population of 710, which Duso said is an amazing statistic.
‘It says something about the community,? Duso said.
The chapter has come a long way since Duso and GHS math teacher John Doerr assumed the reins of the Goodrich NHS chapter 15 years ago. At that time, Duso said, there were a total of 40 students in the chapter.
What makes today’s membership total that much more important, Duso said, is the requirements each student must undergo to become a member. Students must have a 3.5 grade point average and go through an application process, then be evaluated and recommended by the GHS Faculty Council.
‘It’s not a rubber-stamp situation,? Duso said. ‘They are evaluated and have to do a written application. We take pains to make sure our young scholars want to be in our organization. New members must perform 15 hours of community service by the end of the school year, and current members must perform 20 hours of community service and must serve on one of the NHS committees.?
During the induction ceremony, current NHS members repeat their pledges, vowing to uphold the four NHS pillars of character, service, scholarship and leadership.
After that, a candle lighting ceremony takes place, and new members are awarded pins and certificates and sign a book. Each new member and their parents are introduced.
At this year’s ceremony, GHS senior Samantha Minkler will give a speech on behalf of the Goodrich NHS chapter. The ceremony is expected to last about 1-1/2 hours, with Goodrich Superintendent Kim Hart and GHS Principal David St. Aubin expected to attend.
St. Aubin will give closing remarks to the audience at the ceremony.
‘It’s really a grand tradition here at Goodrich,? Duso said of the annual NHS inductions.