Lake Center Christian School NHS Promotes Character and Leadership
LCCS inducts new NHS members with individual scholarship, service achievements
By Emily Chesnic, Campus Communications and Volunteer Coordinator
Twenty Lake Center Christian School senior high students are beginning a new chapter of leadership development following their induction into the National Honor Society (NHS), an esteemed student organization engaging learners to be transformative role models in their school, community, and beyond.
The NHS is one of the oldest, largest, and most widely recognized co-curricular organizations in America to honor and inspire well-rounded senior high students. Lake Center established its own NHS chapter 19 years ago to integrate students into a supportive network of like-minded peers focused on whole person growth. NHS at LCCS celebrates students of Christian character maintaining the highest level of academic excellence; encourages volunteerism; and helps develop professional skills for life beyond LCCS.
Lake Center held its annual NHS induction ceremony on Feb. 29, where new members, who are sophomores, juniors, and seniors, were celebrated. The 2024 inducted NHS members are senior Audra Graham; juniors Laura Allan, Elizabeth Beresh, Kevin Ebie, and Kaitlyn Lambright; and sophomores Macauley Baker, Toby Burner, Brooklyn Dishong, Ethan Fisher, Zion Frost, Nicole Hayes, Katelyn Kauffman, Josiah Knisely, Gianna Ritchie, Tanner Slabaugh, Mikenna Slayman, Trinity Westfall, and Aliya Wright.
NHS Members Set an Example of Service
Lake Center’s new NHS inductees join existing members who embody the organization’s values of scholarship, character, leadership, and service, reflective of the school’s core values. LCCS second-year NHS members are senior Luke Underwood, and juniors Troy Brown, Autumn Griffith, Stanley Kever, Sara Maarschalk, Nathan Miller, Caitlin Moyer, Luke Sommers, Xander Stokes, Andee Varga, and Victoria Wilson; and third-year members are seniors Miranda Bailey, Jenna Eddy, Ava Karmie, Jack Katigbak, Abigail Klein, Micah McConahay, Jordan Neel, Corban Osborne, Sarah Stock, and Micah Wright.
During the induction ceremony, NHS members encourage the inductees to continue their academic, spiritual, and citizenship betterment, lighting candles to shine light on the NHS standards. The ceremony provides an opportunity for public speaking, with current NHS officers, President Abigail Klein, Vice President Sarah Stock, Secretary Jenna Eddy, and Treasurer Ava Karmie, presenting on the organization’s key principles. They encouraged the inductees to positively impact others through their speech and service in preparation for future academic and professional endeavors. LCCS students typically log 60 volunteer hours or more during their NHS membership, while new inductees commit to a minimum of 20 hours per year to enhance their community service experiences and professionalism.
This year’s formal ceremony also included an address by guest speaker Elementary Principal Mrs. Dannon Stock. NHS Chaplain Micah Wright gave the invocation.
Curricular, Community Engagement Through NHS
Lake Center 10-12 grade students may apply for NHS membership each January. Applications include two references, a written essay, and a record of leadership and service. A minimum of a 3.5 cumulative unweighted GPA (grade point average) is required to apply, in addition to having completed community service on a volunteer basis for at least one non-profit organization. NHS Advisor and Senior High English Language Arts Teacher Mrs. Sharon Martin said the school’s NHS Teacher Advisory Council reviews the applications to ensure requirements for membership are met. The students selected for NHS membership are “tapped” and brought by second and third-year Lake Center NHS members to a surprise induction luncheon at Lake Center.
Among other benefits, NHS membership is a resume booster. Membership solidifies the student is dedicated to their studies and is a responsible and diligent volunteer and positive change maker. The NHS organization offers scholarship opportunities to members pursuing higher education, with over $2 million in scholarships awarded to outstanding students each year.
