By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— Themes of academic success filled the auditorium at Pelham High School May 3 when about 150 students participated in a joint induction ceremony for seven honor societies.

National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Quill & Scroll, Art Honor Society, National English Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta held individual presentations for the students who qualified.

“As the principal of Pelham High School, I am honored to stand before you this morning,” said PHS Principal Dr. Jason Yohn. “Today we will be honoring some of our best and brightest students at Pelham High School. These students have sacrificed many things to be here today to receive this recognition today.”

Courtney Farely introduced four students who were inducted into the French Honor Society. In order to be considered the students are required to have taken at least three semesters of French while maintaining an “A” average in those classes.

They are also required to keep a “B” average in all their other classes.

The students participated in a candle lighting ceremony, passing the flame amongst the new members, and recited an oath for the society.

Spanish Honor Society also held a candle lighting ceremony for the 20 students who were inducted into the organization. Students qualified by maintaining a 3.6 GPA in Spanish classes.

“They’ve worked very hard to get to this point,” said Spanish teacher Melissa Copes. “They are all excellent students and I am very proud of them.”

Ten students were inducted into Quill & Scroll, a journalism-based organization, and 16 were inducted into Mu Alpha Theta, a math honor society where members must maintain a 3.7 GPA in math classes.

The largest group of inductees was for National Art Honor Society, 68, National English Honor Society, 61, and National Honor Society, 31. Art society inductees each received a red rose and a certificate for their efforts, and English inductees were given white carnations.

“High academic achievement does not come without hard work, dedication and the strong desire to succeed,” Yohn said. “The students being recognized here today spent many hours studying and working to achieve at the highest level possible.”