Annandale High School’s National Honor Society Banquet was held Monday, March 16, at the Annandale High School commons. The evening’s program included the induction of 35 sophomores, 12 juniors and one senior as new members of the society.
Not just about grades
The National Honor Society is an organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character.
To be accepted into Annandale’s NHS, a student must have a minimum of a 3.33 grade point average to begin applying.
Those who are eligible are sent a letter asking them to attend an informational meeting at which time the selection process is explained.
Students are given forms to fill out on which they list what activities they participate in, both in and out of school. They are also asked to write an essay.
"About 20 percent of students applying each year do not make it into NHS," said NHS advisor Steve Herrmann. "Academics is only 25 percent of the criteria; leadership, character and volunteer service are equally important."
New inductees
Sophomores meeting NHS criteria and who were welcomed as members, included: Samantha Borders, Dominick Braun, Jared Cleveland, Hayley Clouthier, Morgan Diers, Isabelle Fobbe, Samuel Gohman, Thomas Gross, Claire Hagstrom, Meranda Heinecke, Maddie Helget, William Jacobson, Isabella Johannes, Maddie Jonas, Krissy Kalla, Tiffany Kammer, Carly Knowles, Connor Magrum, Hailey Manninen, Brittney Manthie, Julia Massmann, Kyler McCoy, Erin Miller, Ian Molldrem, Levi Neuenschwander, Anthony Olson, Louise Peterson, Maggy Russek, Katya Sparboe, Dylan Smith, Christopher Strand, Noah Thomsen, Ashley Thrun and Zach Wrobbel.
Annandale juniors inducted into NHS included Emma Atkinson, Elizabeth Brown, Jack Helget, Alex Hohenstein, Molly Kelly, Bayleigh Luedke, Jaylen Miller, Haley Prewitt, Cassie Provo, Brett Wadman and Mackenzie Weis.
One senior was inducted this year, Shannon McIntee.
Service projects
NHS members must participate in community service activities while a member of the organization.
According to NHS Council member Austin Fournier, NHS is responsible for several community activities including: the pep-fest at the Annandale Care Center, Pioneer Park cleanup, Teens for Jeans, Cystic Fibrosis Hat Day, a food drive for the Annandale Food Shelf, Kids Against Hunger, a blood drive and a roadside cleanup.
Faculty members honored
The banquet also honored the top 10 academic seniors. In speeches, these seniors were given the chance to thank the most influential teacher while an Annandale student.
The following are the top 10 seniors and the teachers they honored at the banquet: Nathan Manuel, Paul Fliegel; Hannah Spaulding, Hazel Schueler; Austin Fournier, Brent Stromme; Austin Kalla, Sandy Jerpseth; Marina Chapman, Scott Massmann; Jenna Loch, Pam Fliegel; Jordan Diers, Cynthia Jenson; Carter Diers, Sandy Greve; Sarah Grimm, Michealle Gibson; Erick Jacobson, Cal Froehlich.
New council introduced
This year’s NHS Council included Austin Kalla, Will Richards, Clayton Neuenschwander and Austin Fournier.
Neuenschwander introduced the new 2015-16 council, which includes Jake Johnson, president; Brooke Brower, vice president; Megan Bidwell, secretary; and Alexis Henson, treasurer.