Red Mountain Ranch Elementary School’s second annual induction ceremony to the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) honored 32 accomplished students at a festive ceremony.
These outstanding fifth- and sixth-graders had proven their commitment to the four pillars of the honor society. They are scholarship, leadership, responsibility and service.
“I am very happy right now,” Principal Dr. Joyce Cook addressed the proud parents, “because we have completed the first full year of honor society obligations.” Dr. Cook especially commended the efforts of the mentoring teachers, Stephen Schiro (English language proficiency), Cindy Crowther (sixth grade), and Debbie Jacobs (sixth grade). “They have contributed their special gifts of leadership and guidance to the program,” the principal stated.
Much planning went into the NEHS event before the holidays, and many more service hours were contributed all year round. Mr. Schiro listed such activities as babysitting during the school carnival, making a haunted house, helping kindergarteners get an orientation or writing get well holiday cards for patients in a hospital.
Most successful of all, the food drive had resulted in 265 sacks of groceries last fall through the compassionate involvement of the students. A total of seven truckloads of nutrition were delivered to RMRE’s partnering school.
Aside from steering a sound academic course and doing service for the community, the inductees also had to demonstrate leadership and responsibility. “We really look for role models,” said Ms. Crowther. “These kids may step up when another gets called a name or put in the extra effort cleaning up the playground.”
With so many children applying for NEHS this year, it was obvious the values were catching on, Ms. Crowther concluded.
“Getting involved with NEHS has made a significant difference for our school,” Ms. Jacobs added. “The students got so excited and had a lot of fun while doing their projects, which serve not only in school but the community at large.”
For this solemn occasion, inductees were dressed in their finest attire. Last year’s NEHS alumni