SIDNEY — Lehman Catholic High School has inducted new members for its chapter of the National Honor Society. A ceremony and reception for students and their parents was held recently in the chapel at Lehman Catholic.
Seniors inducted as new members were Malachi Bezy, son of Paul and Bree Bezy of Sidney; Stephen Monnin, son of Andy and Julie Monnin of Piqua; and Emma Simpson, daughter of Tisha Huth of Troy and Frederick Simpson of Sidney.
Juniors inducted were Eli Baker, son of Cliff and Karen Baker of Piqua; Hannah Fogt, daughter of Andrew and Shelley Fogt of Sidney; and Madison Hussey, daughter of Nathan and Mollie Verdier of Sidney.
Sophomores inducted were Maria Adams, daughter of John and Tara Adams of Sidney; Brandon Barhorst, son of Kurt and Connie Barhorst of Sidney; Melanie Brunner, daughter of John and Julie DeDomenic Brunner of Sidney; Grace Dexter, daughter of Wade and Andrea Dexter of Troy; Jake Emrick, son of Jeff and Julia Emrick of Sidney; Theresa Flood, daughter of Scott and Cheryl Flood of Sidney; Abby Jones, daughter of Bradley and Kelly Jones of Conover; Meaghan McDonald, daughter of Dave and Melissa of Sidney; Alanna O’Leary, daughter of Rob and Rose of Piqua; Clare Schmiesing, daughter of Greg and Christina Schmiesing of Sidney; Amanda Titterington, daughter of Patrick and Kathy Titterington of Troy; Kelsey Weber, daughter of Paul and Tonya Weber of Troy; and Hailey Wick, daughter of Lori Frye of Sidney and Michael Wick of Sidney.
Students are selected as candidates for membership based on grade average and activity points. Students who meet these criteria are then evaluated by the Lehman faculty in the areas of leadership and character.
The induction ceremony was planned by Pam Wendel, faculty adviser of the Lehman chapter of the National Honor Society. Senior Caroline Heitmeyer, current president of the chapter, welcomed the students and their parents, introduced each speaker, read the names of the candidates, and administered the National Honor Society pledge. The invocation was given by Father James Riehle, school chaplain.
NHS officers and current members spoke on the four qualities expected of members. Senior Olivia Leece spoke on “character.” Junior Jacob Schmiesing, NHS vice president, spoke on “scholarship.” Senior Cassidy Hemm spoke on “leadership” and junior Kaitrin O’Leary, NHS secretary, spoke on “service.”
Pete Dunlap, Lehman assistant principal, was the main speaker for the afternoon event. His talk focused on the quality of “character.” He began by commending the students’ efforts and saying how proud their parents and teachers were of their accomplishments.
“We are proud and excited,” he said. “We are proud because we know that individuals who live with constant effort to improve their scholarship, balanced with a life of service and the courage to lead, and a constant and conscious developing of your character, when you hone and develop these four pillars, and combine them with the faith and love in Jesus Christ, there will be no stopping you. You can live a life that is not just successful for your own self, but successful in your impact on our society. Our Lord’s calling, for you, is to make the world a better place.”
As Dunlap continued, he made reference to character as how we wish to appear to others. “We seem to be in a time where popular culture is teaching us that to succeed, you need to be dishonest, to be deceptive, to be willing to bend your morals,” he said. “These are simply short cuts which bear fruitless blooms. The first step in sharpening your character is to always maintain your self-respect in wanting to be good, wanting to be seen as a person of good character.”
In closing, Dunlap encouraged the new members to challenge each other to maintain integrity and honesty, and have the courage to change the dark places of the world. “May the light of Christ continue to shine bright in each and every one of you,” he said.
