As students walked into the Richardson Auditorium, they were welcomed with orchestral music in a quiet scene that prepared them for induction into the school’s National Honor Society.
Many sophomore, junior and senior students were inducted at seven p.m. on Wednesday February 12th. The program started with the several speeches by the NHS officers. Applicants were pirmarily chosen based on grades – stuents must have 90 average or higher – and a council comprised of the faculty then chose specifically which students would be inducted.
“We inducted 120 students into the RHS chapter of National Honor Society,” chapter sponsor and calculus teacher Chad Gilliland said.
Former Principal Charles Pickitt was invited as the guest speaker to list and explain the general qualities which all members of the society should possess – service, leadership and character. Pickett’s speech was then followed by roll call for new members after which NHS President senior Zain Walker recited the pledge for all the new members.
“Like always, Mr. Pickitt, has a very inspiring speech for our future members,” Walker said. “The ceremony went without a hitch, besides a stubborn ceremonial candle that didin’t want to be lit. But besides that, both Mr. Gillland and Mr. Pickitt said it went smoothly than any other induction in the past. The size of the group this year, really says a lot about the diligence and the determination of the future upperclassmen of the Richardson High school to succeed.”
Members of NHS are expected to demonstrate the qualities of an honor student and serve their community. NHS requires eight service hours every semester, which new members will need to turn in May.
“Being inducted into NHS will earn me the recognition for the hard work that I will put into serving the community,” sophomore Jacob Redmond said. “Personally, I’ll be volunteering at our school Debate tournaments and I will be able to use this as a way to further my training as a leader.”