By Deborah Thomas, LMPS parent and Lakeland School Board member
Last week 29 students at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). The group which achieved this honor May 7th included 21 sixth graders, 4 seventh graders and 4 eighth graders who pledged “to uphold the high purposes of the National Junior Honor Society.” At LMPS, Keith Adams serves as chapter advisor and is assisted by Rick Stearnes, Danny Welch and Nathan Fisher as faculty council members.
In the afternoon ceremony, Paula Turner’s Orchestra set the tone as guests took their seats. Olivia Hicks, NJHS president, then welcomed inductees and their guests, and Toby Harrell and Ava Latshaw, vice-president and secretary, respectively, led all those in attendance in the Pledge. Mr. Adams then made some opening remarks before turning the program over to student members.
Current NJHS members Jonathon Barnes, Courtney Fencl, Graham Hutchens, Caroline Floyd and Shelby Emerson each lit a candle and then explained to those in attendance and to the inductees their responsibility to “maintain and encourage the high standards of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character.” Miss Hicks swore in the new members, who then received a certificate and a pin. In closing, Matt Adler, LMPS principal, challenged inductees to keep striving for excellence in every endeavor.
According to Mr. Adams, the LMPS chapter has 95 members. To be considered for induction, a student must complete an application and obtain two teacher recommendations. In addition, a student must write an essay and maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA). All students must complete four service hours per quarter, with two of those being in service of the school and two being in service of the community.
Mr. Adams quoted J.P. Morgan, who once said, “Go as far as you can, and when you get there, go farther.” Mr. Adams says he enjoys being the sponsor of NJHS for just this reason: “It has allowed me to see the potential and even great potential in our students and myself.”
On Thursday (5.10.19), 24 students were inducted into the LMPS chapter of Beta Club, which honors students for exhibiting exemplary character, scholarship and service. At LMPS, Beta Club is sponsored by Julie O’Bryan and Leann Albert.
Anneliese Land’s Jazz Band provided a prelude to the afternoon ceremony, followed by a welcome by Ava Latshaw, president of Beta Club. Mr. Adler provided opening remarks and turned the ceremony over to current Beta Club members.
Miss Latshaw then took the podium and explained that each officer would pin a ribbon to the Beta Club banner as part of the rainbow induction ceremony. Each ribbon color represented a different attribute of a new member: green for life and vigor; red for cooperation and confidence; blue for truth, constancy, and fidelity; indigo for devotion and constancy; violet for trustworthiness; orange for zeal, cheer, and friendship; and yellow for wisdom and understanding.
Current officers Miss Latshaw, Emma Sheridan, Alexsandra Martinenko, Rishi Patel, Camden Korsmo and Hayat Aidarous each introduced a color and explained its value before pinning it to the banner. Kelina Vu represented the new inductees. New members then received a certificate and pin.
According to Mrs. O’Bryan, the LMPS chapter has 82 total members. To be considered for induction, a student must have a 3.5 GPA for the semester on all academic core subjects and must maintain exemplary conduct. Sixth and seventh graders must earn five hours of service credit, and eighth graders must earn six hours. Members meet five times each year.
Congratulations to all of these students for being selfless givers, studious scholars, eager doers, and exemplary leaders!
Google album to programs of both events: https://photos.app.goo.gl/2ZmomAcenDJDgUyN8
*** Photos and program copies courtesy of Stacey Cartright, April McDaniel and Deborah Thomas
