The Georgia Lee Alford Chapter of the National Honor Society held its 58th annual induction ceremony at James A. Garfield High School, welcoming 24 new members in a ceremony that honored scholarship, leadership, service, and character — the four pillars at the heart of NHS.
Senior Mandy Cardinal opened the evening by explaining the significance of the event and the standards each inductee had met to earn their place. “To be considered, you have to be a junior or senior with a GPA of 3.6 or higher,” she said. “Tonight we honor not only academic excellence, but also the commitment to serve, lead, and uphold a strong character. Congratulations to our new inductees, and thank you to the family, friends, and mentors who helped them get this far.”
Kaelyn Tasker led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Riley Grace, who framed the evening’s purpose. “We have the honor of welcoming candidates who have exemplified the four core qualities most esteemed by the National Honor Society,” Grace said. “These qualities form the foundation of our society and guide us all in our shared commitment to excellence and integrity.”
The ceremony then turned to the four officers, each reflecting on a pillar of the organization.
Elise Edwards spoke first on scholarship, emphasizing that true learning extends beyond grades. “National Honor Society starts with scholarship,” she said. “You must consistently get good grades and excel in your classes—but in the context of NHS, scholarship goes beyond that. It’s about your learning experiences and the time and effort you put in.”
Edwards urged inductees to view learning as a lifelong pursuit. “It is when we stop learning that we stop changing and growing,” she said. “My parents always taught me to love learning—to look things up if I didn’t know, to ask questions, and to share what I learned with others. Now I strive not just to learn more, but to help those around me learn more too.”
Speaking on service, Makenna Guyette reflected on how small acts of kindness can have lasting influence. “Service isn’t just about logging volunteer hours or fulfilling school requirements,” she said. “It’s about recognizing a need and choosing to respond, even if no one’s watching, even when there’s no credit to be earned.”
She described service as an ongoing responsibility. “When we serve, we show empathy. We show responsibility. And we begin to understand that the world doesn’t change through grand gestures—it changes because of people who choose to show up, day after day.”
Guyette challenged inductees to make service part of their identity. “Let service be more than something you do,” she said. “Let it become part of who you are. Be the person who chooses to do the extra work, who speaks up, who listens with an open heart. Every act of service, no matter how small, creates a ripple.”
On behalf of Elizabeth Proya, Lily Shay addressed the pillar of character. She broke the idea down into three essential traits — kindness, honesty, and responsibility. “Kindness goes a long way,” she said. “Even small acts can make a big difference in someone’s day. It doesn’t have to be grand gestures.”
She noted that honesty, though simple in theory, often requires courage. “It seems easy and a part of daily life for most people, but a lot of the time it isn’t,” Shay said. “Honesty can mean admitting mistakes or standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. That’s when true character shows.”
On responsibility, she told inductees, “It means following through, owning your actions, and being someone others can count on. Responsibility is the proof of character, and together, kindness, honesty, and responsibility help us grow—not just as individuals, but as a community.”
The final officer to speak, Olivia Grcar, president of the chapter, reflected on leadership. “When I think of a leader, I think of someone who makes sure others are heard and has shared goals with the group they are leading,” she said. “Being a leader doesn’t mean being commanding or powerful. It’s about guiding others toward success together.”
Grcar explained that true leadership begins with empathy. “If a leader truly wants to be heard and respected, they must first show respect to others,” she said. “A leader gains trust by supporting and listening to those around them.”
She added, “Leadership isn’t about getting what you want—it’s ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. By empowering others, you empower yourself. Being a leader doesn’t mean you’re better than someone else; it means you’re willing to lift them up when they can’t do it themselves.”
After the speeches, new members were called forward to light their candles from those of current members, symbolizing the passing of knowledge and responsibility. Each new inductee took the National Honor Society pledge before receiving their certificate and a yellow rose.
Advisor Doug Engelhart concluded the ceremony with words of encouragement. “The pillars of the National Honor Society—Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character—remind us that learning, serving, leading, and living with integrity all work together,” he said. “True greatness isn’t found in titles or awards, but in how we use what we’ve learned and who we are to lift others up.”
Quoting author James C. Hunter, he shared, “The true foundation of leadership is not power, but authority… and true authority is earned through service and sacrifice.”
Engelhart challenged the students to embody that message in their daily lives. “We must choose to lead not by standing above others, but beside them,” he said. “We’re proud of your hard work, your integrity, and your heart—but even more than that, we believe in the difference you will make.”
As the ceremony closed, Engelhart invited families, friends, and mentors to stand in recognition. “Every achievement is shared with those who have supported and believed in us,” he said. “Thank you for sharing in this special night.”
2025 Inductees
Gavin Barnard, Hannah Timmons, Cole Miller, Abraham Wohllever, Kylene McMayon, Quinn Roborecki, Olivia Zicari, Olivia Seaborn, Aaron Evans, Madison Sterrett, Charlee Hill, Ruby Price, Chloe Heasley, Luke Kaufman, Eva VonBergen, Ryan Stonestreet, Lillie Fynes, Madelyn Smerkar, Emily Fonseca, Lindsey Rabatin, Rebecca Evans, Sanura Oliver, Madisyn Seiler, and SadieMae Ewell.
Current Members
Dakota Stanley, Addison Truce, Holden Kissel, Derik Stanley, Reese Shirkey, Mandy Cardinal, Kaelyn Tasker, and Riley Grace, Elise Edwards, Makenna Guyette, Elizabeth Proya, Lily Shay, and Olivia Grcar.