National Junior Honor Society induction at AA
Members of the AA National Junior Honor Society take the NJHS pledge in front of friends and proud parents
Information and photo provided by American Academy
Late last fall, American Academy (AA) was proud to add a new group of inductees to its chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) in a special evening ceremony led by middle school teachers Katie Williams and Wendy Pieseski. The ceremony was held in the American Academy cafeteria in the presence of parents, siblings, students, and teachers.
Special guest speakers included master of ceremonies and president of the AA chapter – eighth grader Sriya Sharma, and Middle School Academic Director Amanda Lane-Cline. Jake Billings, an AA seventh grader, claimed the honor of having the highest overall GPA in both seventh and eighth grade at AA. A short reception followed the ceremony with refreshments, cake, and a toast to the newest members.
NJHS at AA consists of students in seventh and eighth grade, and is an honor society based upon scholarship, leadership, character, citizenship, and service.
“As NJHS members, we hope to carry out the characteristics of service, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship throughout our NJHS membership and the rest of our lives,” said Sharma. According to the AA NJHS constitution and bylaws established in October, 2011, “The purpose of NJHS is to “create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, to develop character, and to encourage citizenship in students of American Academy.”
The returning members recited a vow of renewal, and the inductees took a pledge of commitment. Returning members then presented pins to the new members, and a symbolic candle lighting was held to honor the five virtues of NJHS; scholarship, leadership, citizenship, character, and service. The ceremony concluded with all NJHS members taking a special pledge of commitment to their community.
AA is a Douglas County K-8 public charter school with a core knowledge curriculum and an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math. For more information about the school or its chapter of the National Honor Society, visit www.americanacademyk8.org or contact the school at 720-292-5200.
