LANSING, Ill. (May 9, 2024) – Memorial Junior High School inducted its newest members into the Magnus Meritus Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) on May 6. The induction ceremony honored 41 exemplary students for their commitment to the organization’s pillars: scholarship, character, leadership, service, and citizenship.
District 158 Superintendent Dr. Nathan Schilling said 41 students is the largest number the chapter has inducted in a year. 
Mary Kelly, District 158 school board President, and Denise Jones Williams, school board Vice President, came to support and congratulate the inductees.
“First a word to the parents, grandparents, friends, and extended family members who are here this evening. I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations to you on the accomplishments of your inductee,” she said. “It is very clear that you value and are committed to your child’s education.”
Going above and beyond
In 1929, the NJHS was founded by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, promote leadership, encourage responsible citizenship, and develop character in secondary school students. 
“This organization recognizes students who demonstrate distinction in and out of school in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship,” said Dr. Keli Ross, Principal at Memorial Junior High School.
“You will see these characteristics reflected in each of the students we honor today through their consistent display of a positive attitude, a good work ethic, and a genuine concern toward making a difference to their community,” she continued.
To qualify for membership in the NJHS, students must showcase exceptional academic achievement, outstanding character, and dedication to service.
“The 41 inductees we celebrate tonight have demonstrated hard work, good character, as well as intellect in the classroom and beyond,” said Dr. Ross. “The students that you see before you represent excellent role models who understand the concept of leading by example.”
Dr. Schilling said many inductees volunteered at Lansing Clean Up Day on April 22.
Induction ceremony
Current chapter members lit six candles representing wisdom, scholarship, citizenship, service, leadership, and character before the inductees were officially accepted as new members.
The inductees were required to recite the NJHS society pledge led by Tera Maddox, a math teacher at Memorial Junior High School. 
During the ceremony, the students were called individually to sign their names in the chapter’s book and receive a certificate showcasing their status as members of the Magnus Meritus Chapter of the NJHS. They also received a single red rose to give to someone special to them who was present at the event. 
Dr. Dave Kostopoulos, Director of Curriculum and Assessment at District 158, congratulated the inductees and advised them on the future.
“You will have many opportunities to make choices that will strengthen and grow these pillars. Don’t ever compromise your morals, values, and work ethics for someone else or their ideas, stick to your own,” said Dr. Kostopoulos. “Also, continue to be the great person you have already become and continue to strengthen upon your five pillars so that you become unshakeable and unbreakable in all your future endeavors, congratulations.”
Sixth grade inductees
- Victoria Apata
- Cristian Delgado
- Gabriella Dixon
- Jillian Doszak
- Nathaly Martinez
- Etinosa Osaretin
- Isaiah Poole
- Sophia Sandoval
- Janiya Turman
- Jubilee Williams
Seventh grade inductees
- Samantha Avila
- David Bennett
- Francisco Cervantes
- Mia Del Real
- Koi Dortch
- Jade Graham
- Malia Greene
- Nyla Griffin
- Malik Harb
- Lorrae James
- Loriana Johnson
- Alyssa King
- Jori Mathews
- Mia Medina
- Gabriela Mondragon-Cruz
- Malcolm Smith
- Kenzee Stahl
- Layla Wallace
- Amari Zawadzki
Eighth grade inductees
- Chanel Allen-Anderson
- Brooklyn Bullock
- Romina Calderon
- Keilani Coussey
- Leylah Jackson
- Kyle Jones
- Jayden Maxey
- Lilianna McKenna
- Nevaeh Taylor
- Isabella Vargas
- Heaven Wiley
- Nyla Wilson
Memorial Junior High is located at 2721 Ridge Road in Lansing.
Related:
- Memorial Junior High holds pep rally for regional science fair winners (May 6, 2024)
- Heritage Middle School celebrates 25 years of excellence at National Junior Honor Society induction (April 20, 2024)
