For the last eight years I have had the honor of inviting each new group of 11th and 12th grade students to be members of the Pine River-Backus High School National Honor Society. On Wednesday, Oct. 26, we will hold our 2022 induction ceremony to welcome the new members to our team.
The pillars of the National Honor Society are Scholarship, Character, Service and Leadership. The students being inducted must have a 3.50 GPA, demonstrate good character both in school and in the community, volunteer where they can and show that they have held leadership roles in their school classes, sports and activities, in church youth groups or in a work capacity. All students must fill out the application form and submit a written essay on what the four NHS pillars mean to them.
As I head into my ninth year as NHS advisor, one of my favorite parts of this role is getting to spend time with some of the best students that Pine River-Backus Schools has to offer. These young people are involved in everything - student council, basketball, wrestling, school musical, advanced classes, and the list goes on. As members of the National Honor Society they are asked to volunteer as tutors for underclassmen, host reward parties for 5th-8th grade students, run concessions as a group fundraiser, and finish the year with organizing the annual Service Day volunteer projects. No matter what is asked of them, they come to meetings or events with smiles on their faces and ready-to-work attitudes.
If you happen to know one of these students, please congratulate them on being the amazing individuals they’ve become. Keep encouraging them to chase their dreams and work hard for all they want in life. These young people will leave Pine River-Backus and head into the world to do great things. I am blessed that I get to be a small part of their last high school years.
Jolene Bengtson is business manager at Pine River-Backus School District.
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