National Honor Society induction

Cresco - Twenty-four juniors and seniors of Crestwood High School joined scores of others as new members of the National Honor Society at the 61st Annual Induction Service on Nov. 23, 2020.

The evening started with the processional of present members and inductees, with Mrs. Karen LeFebvre playing “Pastoral Symphony” by Handel.

Current members gave the program. Mikayla Lane gave the introduction. 

Ashton McConnell stated the ideals of the NHS include character, scholarship, leadership and service. Current members explained each one.

Character (Hayden Rempfer): “Character is a trait that develops over your lifetime.” She compared it with a tower of blocks. “With every choice you make, a block is added. It is important to balance your choices, assess the weight of your actions and build an even foundation. Without careful consideration of your choices, your tower will become unbalanced and topple.”

Scholarship (Aaron Randak): Scholarship is not gifted, and it is not born with. It is a commitment to excellence. It is the defining characteristic of great minds in our society.” He gave examples of Jeff Bezos of Amazon and the late Kobe Bryant.

Leadership (Summer Knight): “Leadership is one of the many things that brings all of us in the National Honor Society here tonight. The 2020 inductees had to show leadership at some point of their lives, otherwise they would not be where they are today.”

Service (Gabe Grabau): “Service as defined by Merriam Webster is the contribution to the welfare of others. Service is doing an act not for personal gratification but to help someone in need.”

Kade Munkel introduced Mr. Justin Denner, high school mathematic instructor and coach, as the speaker. 

Paetyn Blockhus presented the new member from the Class of 2021, Hailley Mittelsted and the Class of 2022, Hope Balk, Alaina Bina, Emily Church, Nicholas Dietzenbach, Tori Eckard, Abbey Fencl, Audrey Ferrie, Kyleigh Foster, Ethan Govern, Taryn Grube, Caleb Kammerer, Lyli Kunert, Ethan Mast, Berli Nibbelink, Albert Okine, Madison Ollendieck, Nicole Pecinovsky, Ashley Reicks, Brylee Ruppert, Dylan Shultz, Kendel Slavin, Jaydan Teslow and Emily Voyna.

The inductees join current NHS members of the Class of 2021, Nathaniel Bigalk, Kayla Birdd, Paetyn Blockhus, Treyton Burnikel, Ashley Ferrie, Kristen Frazer, Kaylea Gosnell, Gabe Grabau, Alyssa Halvorson, Carter Henry, Haylee Holten, Justin Kerian, Summer Knight, Mikayla Lane, Anna Mae Leverson, Kaitlyn Loden, Ashton McConnell, Morgan Moser, Kade Munkel, Kaylee Ollendieck, Mason Peter, Aaron Randak, Hayden Rempfer, Hannah Shelton, Landon Simiele, Cameron Sobolik, Trystin Thompson, Lauren Trende and Reid Wiley.

Senior NHS member Justin Kerian gave the pledge. Treyton Burnikel, Carter Henry, Anna Mae Leverson and Reid Wiley bestowed the stoles and presented certificates.

Kaitlyn Loden gave the closing comments, and the recessional, “Trumpet Tune” by Handel, was played by LeFebvre.

According to its website, the National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in core areas.