SCHOLARSHIP means a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend hours in reading and study, because he or she knows the lasting benifits of a cultivated mind. We should continue to learn even when formal education has ended, for education and learning end only with life. Knowledge is one great element in life that leads to the highest success, and it can be acquired in only one way --- through personal diligence and effort. Learning fuels the lamp by which we read the past and the light that illuminates the future. Each candidate and member has the charge to continually expand his or her world through the needless opportunities inherent in SCHOLARSHIP.

SERVICE can be expressed in various ways. In the routine of the day's work, many opportunities arise to provide help to others. Willingness to work without monetary compensation or without recognition for the benifit of those in need is the quality we seek in our membership. We are committed to the idea of volunteering one's time and ablities to the creation of as better today and a brighter tomorrow. Much has been given to us and much will be expected from us through our commitment to SERVICE.

LEADERSHIP should exert a wholesome influence on the school. In taking the initiative in class and school activities, a real leader strives to train and aid others to attain the same worthy objective. The price of leadership is sacrifice, the willingness to yield one's personal interests for the interest and benefit of others. A leader who has confidence in himself or herself and will go forward when others hesitate. No matter what power and resources may exist in a situation, they are ineffectual without the guidance of wise LEADERSHIP.

CHARACTER is that force in a person that distiguishes him or her from others. It gives us our individuality and our unique personality. It is that quality that gains the respect of others. Character is achieved and not received. It is the product of constant action, daily striving to make the right choices. Character is the power that makes great men and women famous because in the need they are judged by what they are more than by what they have done. We must be in reality what we wish to appear to others. By demonstrating such qualities as reliability, honest, and sincerity, we may hope to prove by example that we, indeed, value CHARACTER.

 

Lighting of the Candles
The candles are lit to represent the basis upon which members are selected to National Honor Society. Education is a process of both receiving and giving. As the candidate receives knowledge, so must the candidate also impart knowedge to others so that the torch of truth will be kept forever burning. This is sybolized by having each candidate also light his or her individual candle from the flaming torch of knowledge.