Whiz Kids: Adams High School National Honor Society Inductees
Wednesday ceremony welcomes 88 students who demonstrate leadership, character, service and scholarship.
Photos
The Whiz Kids this week are new members to the National Honor Society (NHS). The coveted organization acknowledges middle and high school students who demonstrate excellence in four areas: leadership, character, service and scholarship.
School: Adams High School
Accomplishment: A group of 88 juniors and seniors were inducted into the NHS on Wednesday afternoon at the NHS Induction Ceremony at Adams High School Auditorium. Parents were in the audience, proud to see their children had achieved a membership in the prestigious high school organization.
Key to awesomeness: In order to become members, students had to obtain a grade point average of at least a 3.5, be recommended by a teacher and already be participating in community service projects, said Kevin Cumming, principal at Adams High School. Colleen Winkler, teacher and NHS advisor at Adams, said she was thrilled to see so many new members join the society.
"We are proud to initiate 88 students into the Adams High School chapter of the National Honor Society," Cumming said. "National Honor Society members are chosen for and expected to continue their exemplary contributions to the school and to the community."
Do you know our next Whiz Kid?
The Oakland Township Patch is always seeking suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Jen Anesi. Be sure to include all of the following information:
- Nominator's name
- Whiz Kid's name and age
- Whiz Kid's school
- Whiz Kid's accomplishment
- Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)
Mike Reno
8:41 am on Thursday, October 6, 2011
These young adults are indeed impressive! I'm so glad The Patch ran this story.
As a suggestion, our high schools should consider something like this: http://hlcsk12.net/hs/html/hs_index.html
Houghton High school has an "Academic Hall of Fame". It would be great to see our high schools honor academic achievement in the same way! (Especially since the school board eliminated the Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors for our top achievers! :-(
Joshua Raymond
9:34 am on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Mike, that would be great to see in our schools. I'm not sure what our schools currently do, but my high school had a display case listing students who made honors and high honors each marking period and photos of National Merit Semifinalists and Letters of Commendation. Each year an assembly was held honoring academic success and students with high honors each marking period the past year received a nice statue of a scholar. National Merit Semifinalists have their names permanently listed in the Academic hallway. Each valedictorian has his name etched on a rather large trophy prominently displayed at the school and his photo permanently displayed in the Academic hallway. There is also a trophy for the top scholar-athlete.
This is a school where students want to take AP and honors classes, Quiz Bowl and Debate have a revered place, athletes and scholars each recognize the excellence in the other group, there is a commitment to learn, and most of the class knows the rankings of the top 3-5 scholars. Top grades are not easy to earn, so they are valued and worked hard for.
I don't have children in RCS's high schools yet. Parents who do and recent graduates, what has your experience been like there?
Mike Reno
9:53 am on Thursday, October 6, 2011
The district does an honors convocation, which is pretty cool. They give out pins, ribbons, and medals. You can see the kids wearing them at graduation.
And the board just approved the "honors with distinction" notation that will go on the diploma. (Although it is so sad that they removed the "Vals/Sals". I don't think most students or parents know that they are ending these top honors.)
I think there are other things they could do. I have suggested that they allow 8th graders to watch the honors convocation, so they can get a sense of the possibilities. Or, perhaps allow the top scholars to visit the middle schools, in an attempt to inspire the incoming freshmen, as well as honor the scholars.
I also think they should re-institute a Varsity Academic Letter (like a letter for sports). They used to do that, at least at Adams, but they stopped years ago.
Kim K.
3:37 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
I still have mine ('94)! It came with a "lamp of learning" pin! Why did that stop that?!
Lisa Brucia
5:13 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Can't tell you how happy we are at Adams HS. Our daughter, Kathryn has excelled in every subject to become a National Honor Society member this year! So pleased with every aspect of the school.
Erin
10:39 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
What a great school and amazing students. Congrats to all!