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The Elena Christian Jr. High School on Wednesday inducted 11 students into its National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) in the school’s cafeteria, the Department of Education has announced.

Principal Henry Mark welcomed parents and inductees to the ceremony. “This morning we want to highlight our students being inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. I want to say congratulations and stay focused on what’s important; which is academic development,” Mr. Mark said.

Erin Flynn, inductee and eighth-grade student was the mistress of ceremony for the program which lasted just under an hour.

Fellow eighth-grader and inductee Angelina Springer shared a brief history of the National Junior Honor Society.

In 1921, the National Association of Secondary School Principal (NASSP) officially established the National Honor Society (NHS). In 1929, NASSP turned its attention to middle state level schools and expanded the scope of its concern for recognizing outstanding students by establishing NJHS. National Junior Honor Society has established criteria that parallels the emphasis found in the National Honor Society with an added purpose to encourage citizenship.

“Initially the Elena Christian Jr. High School was the first public school on St. Croix to be a charter member of the National Junior Honor Society in 1996. It was named the Delta Dorsch Chapter. In 2015, Elena resurrected its National Junior Honor Society. This chapter at Elena Christian promises to maintain strong leadership, character, service, citizenship, and scholarship,” Ms. Springer said.

Following a brief history recap, keynote speaker Kai Nielson delivered a motivational speech. Mr. Nielson is currently the president of the Rotary Club St. Croix, educational chair of the St. Croix Environmental Association and the owner of Virgin Islands Collaborative Solutions.

“God gave each and every one of you a gift. Your job in life is to find that gift and invest in yourself. Find a way to make that gift your purpose, and that becomes your identity…Every road in life comes with speed bumps. Don’t complain. Be the ones that say, “I will be the one to pave the road!” he proclaimed.

The ceremony concluded with the lighting of the candles for the Four Pillars of the NJHS: scholarship, leadership, service, and character, D.O.E. made known. Students lit their induction candle, recited the NJHS pledge and received their certificate and pin.

Assistant principal Christa-Ann Molloy shared closing remarks. “Congrats to you and your parents on this accomplishment. Special thanks to Ms. Hewitt, and to all the individuals who helped make this possible,” she said.

Ms. Molloy added, “Students I encourage you to encourage the others, to motivate other students and tell them what a great opportunity this is. When you move on to high school, continue to carry this torch. Congratulations!”

According to D.O.E., to be eligible for membership, students must have and maintain an average of 85 percent or higher, and demonstrate qualities of each of the four pillars: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Candidates are selected by a membership committee of advisors and school administrators.

Elena Christian Jr. High School National Junior Honor Society Inductees:

Gabriella Alexander

Jaelyn Bailey

Nevaeh Crump

Hadeyah Donaie

Caylah Felix

Erin Flynn

Ke’Vonte Hughes

Maleek Perinon

Makayla Sinanan

Angelina Springer

Lysila Woods