Summit Chapter now has 30 active members
By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER, ILL. – The Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony Wednesday November 6th in Colbert Memorial Gymnasium. The event took place with inductees, NHS Sponsors, teachers, family, friends and administration in attendance to welcome the 18 new members into the society.
Chester High School Principal, Jeremy Blechle welcomed everyone to the induction ceremony. Paula Ray, Co-Sponsor of the Summit Chapter of the NHS then said, “We are gathered here to formally recognize those students who have been selected by the faculty of our school for successfully completing their candidacy and are being inducted as new members of our NHS chapter.”
“For current members and those former members who may be among our guests, we hope this will serve to remind you of the standards of excellence you too are charged with maintaining as members of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious student recognition program.”
The CHS Summit Chapter of NHS has been in existence since 1958. Since that time CHS has emphasized excellence of students both at school and in the community of Chester. NHS members serve as role models for other students. Their records of academic excellence, good character, leadership at school, and community involvement help to complete eligibility for NHS acceptance and induction.
Evelyn Hankins, the other Co-Advisor of the CHS chapter, then came to the podium to begin the induction ceremony. Hankins said, “It is at this time that we proclaim to all in attendance that membership in the Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society has been earned by these candidates through the effective demonstration of the four qualities that serve as standards for the Society.”
Current officers of the Chester Summit Chapter then conducted the Induction Ceremony. Officers spoke regarding the four standards of acceptance into the Society. NHS President, Whitney Sulser, spoke on the standard of “Scholarship”. Vice President, Will Welge, spoke on the standard of “Service”. Secretary, , spoke on the standard of “Leadership”, and Treasurer, Jack Heffernan spoke on the standard of “Character”. Candidates seeking membership into NHS must prove their possession and demonstration of these four standards.
Scholarship denotes a commitment to learning, spending hours reading and study. They must also know the lasting benefits of a cultivated mind. This commitment must continue even when formal education has ended.
Service is a willingness to work for the benefit of those in need, without monetary compensation or public recognition. This quality is sought in members of the NHS and among the entire student body. Volunteering ones time and talent to the creation of a better tomorrow is inherent in service.
Leadership indicates that the inductees exert a wholesome influence on the school. Leaders take initiative in the classroom and in school activities and strive to train and assist other students to reach their common goals of success. The price of leadership is sacrifice and members yield one’s own personal interests for the interests of others. Leaders have self-confidence and go forward when others hesitate.
Character is the force within an individual that distinguishes each person from others. It creates for each person their individuality and goodness. Character allows people to respect both themselves and earn the respect of others. Character is achieved…not received. It is the product of constant thought and action and the daily striving to make the right choices.
Following the presentation of the four standards of acceptance into the National Honor Society, Mrs. Hankins reviewed some of the activities of community service that the Summit Chapter has engaged in the past year.
Hankins said, “Each semester members are required to complete five community service hours for a total of 10 hours in a school year. Since the last induction ceremony last November of 2023, members have earned service hours in a variety of ways”.
Finally, Hankins said, “Seniors who have demonstrated the four values of the NHS will be given gold cords in the spring to wear with their graduation gowns. This symbol recognizes membership in the NHS and the high levels of achievement that you have earned.”
Summit Chapter President, Whitney Sulser then conducted the final phase of the induction process. Jany said, “At this time, will the new inductees please rise, raise your right hand and repeat the pledge?”
Inductees then recited the pledge which stated, “I pledge to uphold the high purposes of the National Honor Society to which I have been selected. I will be true to the principles for which it stands, and will maintain and encourage the high standards of scholarship, service, leadership and character.”
Following the pledge, each member came forward as his or her name was announced to receive a token of membership and to sign the official chapter register. That action concluded the official induction ceremony.
The 18 new inductees include Brayden Absher, David August, Maggie Caby, Peyton Cole, Callie Davis, Lillian Diskey, McKenna LaChance, Southern LaChance, Erin Liefer, Rylie Myers, Trayton Peters, Katherine Pierce, Madison Stauffer, Jessica Stumpe, Summer Valleroy, Olivia Vasquez, Alex Williamson, and Camryn Wolff.
Other veteran members of the Summit Chapter include Max Blechle, Cayden Brunkhorst, Rylie Conley, Nico DeGuzman, Evan Dunning, Gianna Eggemeyer, Jack Heffernan, Mirra Krieg, Elaina Lutman, Ary Shipley, Whitney Sulser, and William Welge.
President Sulser then thanked everyone for attending the 2024 NHS Summit Chapter Induction Ceremony and thanked the officers for their hard work in helping to organize the event. She then invited everyone to join members at a reception honoring the new inductees.
Following the ceremony, a brief photo session took place in Colbert Gymnasium with media and parents coming to the gym floor to meet and greet their inductees and to take advantage of the photo opportunity.
Chester High School Co-NHS Sponsor, Evelyn Hankins, addresses the crowd at the 2024-25 Induction Ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
Paula Ray, new Co-Sponsor of the Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society. welcomes guests to the 2024-25 NHS Induction Ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
Jack Heffernan, Treasurer of the Chester High Schol National Honor Society, discuses “Character”, one of the four standards of becoming eligible to becoming a member of the NHS. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School junior, Jessica Stumpe, signs the register to make her induction into the CHS Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society official. Watching the signing and conducting the ceremony is Whitney Sulser, President of Chester’s NHS chapter. Jim Beers Photo
Pictured is the entire group of new and current members of the Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society at Chester High School. The event was the Induction Ceremony of 18 new members of the Chapter Wednesday November 6, 2024.
Callie Davis signs the official register Wednesday November 6 at Chester High School to make her induction into the Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society official. Davis was one of 18 new members inducted at the Fall 2024 Induction Ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School Principal Jeremy Blechle welcomes everyone to the 2024-25 National Honor Society Induction Ceremony Wednesday November 6. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School National Honor Society Officers and Principal Blechle stand as the 2024-25 Induction Class enters Colbert Memorial Gymnasium for their Induction Ceremony of 18 new members. (Left to right) are Whitney Sulser, President; Will Welge, Vice President; Principal Jeremy Blechle; Secretary Rylie Conley; and Treasurer, Jack Heffernan. Jim Beers Photo
Evelyn Hankins, Co-Sponsor of the Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society, welcomes guests to the 2024-25 Induction Ceremony held at Colbert Memorial Gymnasium. There were a total of 18 new members inducted for a total of 30 members for the school year. Jim Beers Photo