On Nov. 14 at the Douglas High School auditorium, the National Honors Society inducted new junior and senior class members in to Chapter Number 974. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of these students.

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During the ceremony, senior Jacqueline Lafon, a member of the NHS at DHS, explained, “National Honors Society is having all the characteristics of leadership, scholar and service. It’s being a good person without being asked.”

At the beginning of the night, everyone quickly took their seats and let the ceremony begin. The evening started off with a welcome from the NHS President, Dora Valencia, who lit the first candle to commence the ceremony.

Each candle was lit throughout the ceremony by a different senior; every candle represented a different characteristic of the NHS. After lighting the second of the five candles, senior Carolyne Miller began her speech by stating, “Character by meaning is what you do when no one else is looking… as a National Honors Society member, I commend you all to have a character that excels you far beyond everyone’s expectations or standards.”

Later, Miller was asked what it meant to be a part of the NHS, “It means a lot to most of us because it showcases our ability to excel in leadership and academics.”

Stepping up to the stage, senior Benjamin Rivera, then proceeded to light the third candle of the night which represented scholarship.

“There is a great deal of uncertainty in the world. Almost nothing is constant and everything is subject to change… nonetheless, the students arriving here today have scholarship to keep their feet on the ground,” Rivera told the audience during his speech.

As the night advanced, Marco Noriega lit the fourth candle representing leadership. He said during his speech, “Leadership is the capacity to turn vision into a reality. Setting an example that can change the world. Today, we all stand as leaders.”

Noriega was DHS very own student council president, and he was used to being a leader and setting an example for other students to follow.

“After all, I am more afraid of an army of a hundred sheep led by a lion, than an army of a hundred lions led by a sheep,” he said.

The person with the honor to light the last candle of all five was senior Emily Castillo. “There are two basic kinds of characters. Two basic kinds of individuals,” she declared. The fifth candle was meant to represent service. “There are those who seek primarily to succeed themselves, and there are those who seek primarily to serve others.”

After all candles were lit, senior Javier Busanez, introduced all the current National Honors Society members. One by one, all of the 39 senior members were introduced to the audience and asked to take their seats. Following shortly after, Valencia introduced new members that joined the National Honors Society. With a total of 33 juniors and an addition of six new seniors, 39 new candles were lit and 39 oaths were taken.

At the end of the ceremony, DHS Principal Randy Walker made a brief speech congratulating the current and new members.

“I’m glad to be standing here tonight to recognize the students who have demonstrated the excellence in the areas of leadership, service, scholarship and character. The National Honors Society is a select membership and being a member shows who and what you are—a very special group of Douglas High School students. We are all proud of your accomplishments.”