HEAR YE, HEAR YE…MMA NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY IS NOW (AND FOREVER)  IN SESSION!

DATELINE 28 SEPTEMBER 2011 AT HIGH NOON ABOARD MMA TEACHERS’ MESS:  The ceremony installing the 2011-2012 officers and new members of the MMA Chapter of National Honor Society (NHS) was called to order.  Faculty Advisor for MMA’s National Honor Society (NHS) Mrs. Diolanda Dye welcomed everyone present to this year’s officer and new member induction ceremony, a revered event signaling the beginning of many community service-minded events.  Mrs. Dye noted, “One of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a high school student is membership in the National Honor Society. Existing NHS members are Gabriel Gonzales, 12th grade, of Delta Company; Robert Pearson, 12th grade Delta Company; Jarrod Royal-11th grade, Delta Company; Eun Kwak-11 th grade,  Echo Company; William Bood-11 th grade,  Alpha Company; Tyler Weale-11 th grade,  Alpha Company; Ramiro Rodriguez-11 th grade,  Alpha Company; Sutton Talbott-11 th grade,  Alpha Company. Four of our current members are now NHS officers – President Gabriel Gonzales; Vice-President Robert Pearson; Secretary Ramiro Rodriguez; and Historian Eun Hyuk Kwak.”

NHS officers – President Gabriel Gonzales; Vice-President Robert Pearson; Secretary Ramiro Rodriguez; and Historian Eun Huuk Kwak  stepped forward to each receive a lighted candle as a symbol of the flaming torch of freedom and knowledge, and a reminder to bear forward the searching light of truth.

Mrs. Dye called upon the newly-inducted NHS officers to assist in inducting the  new members.

Cadet President Gabriel Gonzales addressed the audience,“MMA’s NHS is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of the nationwide organization, established to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop individual character in each cadet. Membership is open to students who meet the required standards in four areas of evaluation: Scholarship, leadership, character and service. Sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible for membership. A student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. These students are then invited to complete a NHS Obligation Form that provides the Faculty Council with information regarding the candidate’s desire and willingness to be in the NHS. A candidate’s character is evaluated by reviewing his disciplinary records and reviewing the input of the teaching and military staff at the Academy. Once inducted, new members are required to maintain the same level of performance in all four criteria that led to their selection. The obligation includes maintaining a 3.0 gpa each grading period, regular attendance at Chapter meetings, and participation in Chapter service projects.”

Next up was NHS Vice President Robert Pearson with this to say, “I want to talk to you about Scholarship and Service. Scholarship means a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend hours in reading  and study, knowing the lasting benefits of a cultivated mind. We should continue to learn even when formal education has ended, for education only ends with life. Members have the charge to continually expand their world through the opportunities inherent in scholarship. Service can be described in various ways. Willingness to work for the benefit of those in need, without monetary compensation or recognition, is the quality we seek in our membership.”

NHS Secretary Ramiro Rodriguez stepped up to the podium. “Leadership is taking the initiative in class and school activities. The leader strives to train and aid others to attain the same objective. The price of leadership is sacrifice – the willingness to yield one’s personal interests for the interests of others. Power and resources are ineffectual without a wise leader.”

The final NHS officer – Historian Eun Hyuk Kwak noted, “Today I’m going to talk about character, the force within each person which distinguishes him from others. It is the force of character that guides one through life, the product of constant action…daily striving to make the right choice. We must be what we wish to appear to others. By demonstrating reliability, honesty and sincerity, we hope to provide by example that we value character.”

Mrs. Dye called forward the following new MMA NHS members to receive their NHS patch and a congratulatory handshake from MMA Superintendent Colonel R.G. Hill, USMC (Ret): Dylan Che - 10 th grade, Fox Company; Falco Fematt Rodriguez - 10 th grade, Alpha Company; Samuel Fusaro -10 th grade, Echo Company; Ivan Vidishev - 10 th grade, Golf Company; Chase Williams - 10 th grade, Fox Company; Isaac Phillips - 11 th grade, Fox Company; Tianyi Bi - 12th grade, Golf Company; Tanner May - 12th grade,  Delta Company; Andres Orjuela - 12th grade, Fox Company; Robert Rice - 12th grade, Alpha Company; Philip Ruckel - 12th grade, Echo Company; Alex Robertson - 11 th grade, Golf Company; Zachary Garner - Echo Company; 10 th grade, and Osaretin Igbinedion - Alpha Company; 11 th grade.

NHS President Cadet Gonzales then led the new members through the NHS pledge: “I pledge myself to uphold the high purposes of the National Honor Society to which I have been selected, striving in every way by work and deed to make its ideals the ideals of my school and of my life.”