The Fridley High School chapter of the Minnesota Honor Society (MHS) held its annual induction ceremony for new members in the District Auditorium on Wednesday, October 23. As the 29 scholars received the distinguished honor, their family, friends, and staff watched proudly, beaming with joy.

As stated by the Minnesota Association of Honor Societies, the purpose of MHS is to “create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools in Minnesota.” Requirements to join the organization include maintaining a 3.4 or higher grade point average, 15 hours of volunteer service per school year, and meeting criteria for leadership and character as established by each individual chapter.

Spanish and AVID teacher Lizzie Winkelman delivered the faculty speech. “Today marks a significant milestone in your academic journey,” she proudly said. “You are not here by accident. You have each demonstrated the four pillars that the Minnesota Honor Society stands upon: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.”

Winkelman continued by praising the devoted students by sharing some of the accomplishments they have shown, highlighting their commitment to serve their communities.

“As you continue forward in your journey, I challenge you to keep striving to live out these pillars every day,” Winkelman inspired. “The world needs leaders who are not only intelligent, but also compassionate, who seek to lift others as they climb, and who use their talents for the betterment of society.”

The ceremony concluded with inductees taking the stage to receive their certificates of membership while statements they wrote for their honored guests were read aloud. The heartwarming messages thanking staff and family members inspired cheers from the crowd and hugs between honored guests and the newest members of MHS.

The four pillars of MHS include:

• Scholarship - A commitment to learning that involves reading, studying, and expanding one's world
• Service - Volunteering, providing assistance, and taking on difficult responsibilities
• Leadership - Having the influence to do something extraordinary, and being someone others look to for advice 
• Character - Demonstrating strong personal traits such as integrity, honesty, and empathy