LANSING, Ill. (April 24, 2024) – Thornton Fractional South High School recognized students and faculty for outstanding achievements at its 65th annual Honors Award Assembly on April 17. The ceremony was presented by the National Honor Society and TF South’s Pupil Personnel Services Department.
Over 50 students and faculty were presented with awards at this year’s ceremony.
TF South’s National Honor Society
The National Honor Society (NHS) has been fostering the four key pillars of scholarship, service, leadership, and character since 1921. The society was created by Dr. Edward Rynearson, principal of the Fifth Avenue High School in Pittsburgh, PA, to ignite the flames of scholarship and fan the sparks of service, leadership, and character in young students.
The NHS website says there are more than 16,000 chapters across all 50 states, territories, and other countries including TF South.
TF South students must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher to qualify for membership in the chapter. They must also exhibit qualities and show personal commitment to the organization’s four key pillars.
Honors award assembly
The Honors Award Assembly is held every spring to celebrate student’s and faculty’s hard work throughout the year.
The ceremony commenced as Ainsley Grant, NHS president, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jacob Gourley, Principal at TF South, welcomed guests and asked for a moment of silence for Mark DeVries, a TF South alumnus who passed away in 2017. The Mark DeVries scholarship was created in his honor and offers assistance to a graduating TF South senior who has been accepted by and enrolled in an accredited college, university, or trade school.
Over 30 awards were presented to students in recognition of their hard work in several categories, including academics, scholarships, sports, and leadership. Several TF South staff members were recognized for their leadership, fellowship, and commitment to the school and its students.
The event ended with the school recognizing 44 seniors who placed in the top 10 percent of the class of 2024. These students maintained a 4.0 or greater cumulative grade point average for the 2023-2024 school year.
John O’Rourke, Assistant Principal for Pupil Personnel Services at TF South, presented the last award before thanking guests and congratulating award recipients.
“Congratulations to all of our award recipients, and remember, it is always a great day to be a Red Wolf,” he said.
The full list of awards and recipients, is available at tfd215.org.
TF South High School is located at 18500 Burnham Ave in Lansing.
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Great article about TF South students’ many achievements. However, please correct the name of the National Honor Society. “Honor” is singular, not plural. Thanks!
Thank you for that correction, Jennifer! We’ve made the updates.