National Honor Society

The NRHEG chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) inducted 11 new members during a ceremony held Wednesday, Nov. 6 in the high school gym. Senior Aidan Schlaak and juniors Jordan Brouwers, Meela Budach, Kaitlyn Dobberstein, Kyera Eustice, Jozie Klimmek, Molly Johnson, Wyatt Larson, Devon Nelton, Chloe Riewer, Adalyn Stadheim and Chloe Stork were among those inducted.

 

The NHS lists four cornerstone personality traits for potential members: scholarship, leadership, service and character. Current NHS members Alden Dobberstein, Sierra Misgen and Tayla Sandry read definitions of each of the traits and lit ceremonial candles representing them.

 

Following recognition of the new members, Mark Domeier, speaker for the event and a middle-school English teacher for the district, was introduced.

 

“Remember the Word of the Day in middle school?” Domeier began. “Your word of the day today is haecceity.”

 

Haecceity means “the quality that makes someone who they are.”

 

“What is that quality in you?” Domeier asked. “Clearly, you all have scholarship, leadership, service, and character as qualities that have brought you to this stage. But what is it that makes you you?

 

“It's very possible, at this point in your life, that you don't know your haecceity,” Domeier continued. You're still trying to figure out who you are and where you're going in life. And that's okay.”

 

Domeier told this new group of NHS members they’re scholars, leaders and full of character.

“You are willing to serve others by giving of your time and talents to better the world around you,” Domeier said. “You have good character. You're not a puffed-up toad or a bald-faced liar. You're not perfect, but you show your good qualities and make the right choices the vast majority of the time.

 

“Through trial and error and things we've done that we'd rather not reminisce about, we find our way to a better future. Everyone here has engaged in some tomfoolery or skullduggery. Some of you may have even defenestrated someone, though hopefully the window was open at the time.”

 

Domeier welcomed the group telling them it's their responsibility to “march forth and shine a light on the lives of those around you.

 

“And along the way, I'm confident you'll discover your haecceity,” Domeier concluded. “You are now part of a group, the National Honor Society. Together, you can do great things. But never lose sight of who YOU are and why YOU were chosen to be in the NHS. Find your haecceity, be proud of it, and stride into the world, always using your uniqueness to do great things.”

 

The NRHEG Concert Band played music and members posed for pictures before retreating to the cafeteria for a reception with members and guests.