By Sharon Alms
National Honors Society Adviser

The National Honor Society (NHS) was established to recognize outstanding high school students. Dating back to 1921, NHS ranks as one of the oldest and most prestigious national organizations for high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, character and service.

Students being considered for entrance into the Austin High School Chapter must have an unweighted grade point average of 3.6 or higher. The application process includes an essay as well as documentation of demonstration of scholarship, leadership, character and service. A committee of educators reviews the applications and selects students who demonstrate excellence in the four criteria.

1. Scholarship — Scholarship is about maintaining excellent grades but it is also characterized by creativity and openness to new information, debate and criticism.

2. Leadership — Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life.

3. Character — A student of good character is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.

4. Service — The requirement of service is recognizing that you should give back to the school and community that support you.

Austin High School held its annual induction ceremony on October 22 with Mr.

Gary Ray, Chairman of The Hormel Foundation, serving as the guest speaker. The following 11th grade students were inducted into the AHS Chapter of the National Honor Society: Tyler Amick, Andrew Baker, Grace Berke, William Bjorndal, Kristen Carlson, Erin Dankert, Sela Fadness, Merideth Fritz, Joseph Grabau, Victoria Grev, Justin Hansen, Ethan Johnson, Jacob Kempen, Michael Kroymann, Noah Leuer, Olive McDermott, Mark Mizrachi, Samuel Ogilvie, Taylor Sharp, Elizabeth Sheldon, Jiyoon Shin, Kristine Snyder, Matthew Tylutki, Rachel Vos, Rachel Wahlert and Zach Wessels.

These students are joined by our second-year members Thomas Aase, Janna Akkerman, Kathryn Alan, Jenna Anderson, Jessica Bakke, Christine Barinka, Mckenzie Besel, Courtney Bogle, Nicholas Brehmer, Megan Brown, Sean Coffey, John Fleiner, Brooke Flugum, Paige Goetz, Kallie Hart, Helen Heimark, Jasmin Hultgren, Zach Huntley, Stephanie Justice, Nicole Lipari, Cassidy Mayer, Mollie Mickelson, Melissa Navoa, Sydney Ogilvie, Tommy Olmsted, Karyn Potach, Bob Sherman, Laura Siegfreid, Lisa Stundahl and Alex Thorson.

Each member is required to contribute 20 service hours throughout the school year, but many members far exceed that number. Projects include Day of Caring, Salvation Army bell ringing, food drives, school carnivals and nursing home visits to name just a few.

Austin High School is proud of their NHS members and looks forward to their continued leadership in the school and community.