The Fridley High School chapter of the Minnesota Honor Society (MHS) held its annual induction ceremony for new members in the District Auditorium on Thursday, October 26. Family, friends and staff looked on beaming with pride as 35 scholars received the distinguished honor.

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 3.2 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.

After welcome remarks by Interim Principal Kelly McConville and Assistant Principal Lamii Zarlee, MHS officers took turns lighting candles representing the four pillars of the organization: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

English and Theory of Knowledge teacher Dan Terebayza delivered the faculty speech, challenging the group of inductees to continue setting an example for their peers and giving back to the community.

“You possess some of the things that inspire others. So often people are watching and paying attention to you. Your job now is to be aware of the power that this implies,” Terebayza said. “To paraphrase a certain hero: ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’ So use your powers wisely. Lead by example. And don’t do it to impress others, or even just because it is the right thing to do; do it because it is your responsibility.”

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.