By Mike Donahue
Moapa Valley Progress
Twenty-six Moapa Valley High School (MVHS) sophomores and juniors were inducted into El Pirata, the local chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS), during a ceremony last week in recognition of their outstanding scholarship, leadership, character and service.
The NHS is one of the largest programs in the nation to recognize outstanding high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. It was founded in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
The Moapa Valley chapter was established in 1962 and currently has 44 members with the 26 students inducted Tuesday, Feb. 1.
“This chapter represents about 10 percent of the student body,” according to Grant A. Hanevold, MVHS principal. “There are probably more students who qualify (to be in the NHS), but they either don’t apply to join or push themselves to meet the requirements.”
Donna Swanson, NHS advisor and educational computer specialist, said being inducted into the NHS is a real honor for the students and there are benefits that go far beyond high school.
“This is something we absolutely recommend for those kids who are college bound,” Swanson said. “Nowadays it’s almost a necessity.”
In order to get invited into the NHS students must have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA), have excellent citizenship and get letters of recommendation that focus on the criteria for acceptance, scholarship or studying, leadership, character and service. All applications are reviewed by an NHS committee.
Once in, students are required to complete 10 hours of volunteer service a year and maintain their GPA.
The new members of El Pirata are Alexandra Averitt, Isaiah Boren, Rebekah Caldwell, Klint Cardinal, Ema Cook, Dirk Frehner, Cody Gollahon, Autumn Higgens, Garrett Jacobsmeyer, Kaden Kelson, L’rysa McMurray, Pamela Mecham, Jackson Mortensen, Kylie Osborne, Danielle Pray, Alysa Ramos, John Rockenbach, Katrina Scatterday, Alexa Seely, Bryanna Sheldon, Janalee Weatherford, Sydney Widdison, Tyler Winzenreid, Tabitha Witsken, Alyssa Zerkle and Laura Zundel.
Four officers of El Pirata, Cole Witter, president; Haley Causey, vice president; Stephanie Lyon, secretary, and Zach Waite, blood drive coordinator, led the ceremony in which each new member was individually introduced.
The MVHS Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Walter White entertained inductees and guests prior to the ceremony.
