A pledge of honor

“I pledge myself to uphold the high purposes of the National Honor Society to which I have been selected; I’ll be true to the principles for which it stands; I’ll be loyal to my school and will maintain and encourage high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.” While holding faux candles, twenty seven juniors and seniors of Cannon Falls High School proudly recited this pledge, making themselves official members of the National Honor Society. After receiving a certificate of membership, the newcomers gathered with the veteran members to take a picture, marking the end of the ceremony.  

The event took place on November 18 at seven o’clock. Family and friends gathered in the high school auditorium to watch the moving ceremony, with speeches by Cal VandeHoef, who welcomed the students and Holly Winget, the main speaker of the night. Also there were recitations performed by Matt Moskal (President), Lily French (Representative), Emma Thomley (Secretary), and Maddie Adel (Historian) about the four characteristics of NHS: Knowledge and Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. When asked how the evening went Kirsten` Hoffman, co-adviser of NHS, said it was “wonderful” and that the new inductees, have “lots of good leadership, will be very successful”.

“We weren’t as active as a chapter as you guys are. We didn’t have the blood drive yet and there wasn’t adopting a highway yet. But I enjoyed it because mostly my friends were on there,” stated Winget, keynote speaker of the ceremony. She herself was in the Cannon Falls NHS in the years 1988 and 1989. NHS as an organization has become more involved since then, with the biggest events being the yearly food drive and the blood drive. “Last year we raised $1700 and collected around 2,000 pounds of food, which is amazing.” said Deb Klegin, co-adviser with  Hoffman. This year in December will mark the fourth year of the food drive, where elementary students will bring in food items and middle/high school students will donate money towards the drive. (Don’t forget to help try to beat last years record by cleaning out whatever is in pockets and pantries.)

While holding the artificial candles, the thirteen students brought the evening to a close as they were officially sworn into the National Honor Society of the Cannon Falls high school. These students will more than likely never forget the day they were made members and it will always be a proud reminder of their achievements.