MHS inducts newest Honor Society members

The Malta High School National Honor Society (NHS) welcomed five new members last Thursday afternoon at the Malta High School Auditorium.

Honored for the first time as NHS members were Joanie Sjostrom, Billie Orahood, Macy Knudsen, Sophia Stiles and Mariah Salveson.

Current members also include Jenise Amestoy, Shelby Brookie, Tyson Carney, Cru Darrah, Jase Galt, Marley Manoukian, Riley Mortenson, Grant O'Brien and Kaitlyn Smith.

According to Barb Galt, the Malta High School NHS Advisor, membership varies from year to year.

"NHS is based on leadership, scholarship, service and character," Galt said. "First the kids have to first meet the criteria of scholarship, having a B average throughout their high school career."

Another part of the scholarship portion is passing every class. If students can reach the grade demands throughout their first year of high school they will be given an application. Students can apply as sophomores or above.

After the application process, a committee picked out by the school's principal Mr. Scott King reviews the applications and the students are fated on the aforementioned qualities.

Being that one fourth of the criteria is service; members participate in many events to raise funds or simply to help out.

"It's the oldest, largest and most prestigious student recognition program," Galt said. "These kids serve as role models for our schools and we do fund raisers."

The club does a service project every year and in this year's project the group was able to raise money for not only one cause, but many.

"We've raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project, Toys for Tots, March of Dimes and cystic fibrosis," Galt said.

The group also has a Teacher's Appreciation Breakfast, an event which has been taking place this week.

"Everyone always asks why I should get into National Honor Society?" she said. "When looking at scholarships, it's one of the main things that colleges want to know (about a student). They want to know how they've done academically. Not just academically, but they want to know about character, service and leadership skills."

Galt praised her NHS students.

"It can be said about all of them, that they are respectful of their peers and their teachers," Galt said. "They always want to help. They are leaders in their classes. They're either class officers or they lead on and off the field (sports)."