ST. CROIX — The Arthur A. Richards Junior High School inducted 21 students into its National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) on Friday in the school’s library, the Department of Education has announced.
NJHS Advisor Cicely Ferguson gave opening remarks.
“Today we have the honor of inducting 21 members into our chapter. They will join our current members and will be charged with upholding the standards of excellence of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious student recognition program,” Ferguson said, according to the release.
Inductees Naima Suarez and Jason Tuitt, Jr. 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. The National Junior Honor Society has established criteria that parallels the emphasis found in the National Honor Society—leadership, character, service, and scholarship with an added purpose to encourage citizenship, the release said.
“There are more than 2000 NJHS chapters found in all parts of the United States and its territories. Our chapter is proud to have been inducting new members since 1994 and is named after Carlos F. Rodriguez, a former assistant principal (of the AARJHS),” said Jason Tuitt, Jr.
The guest speaker, Amarjahan Joseph-Decambra is a former student and member of the Arthur Richards National Junior Honor Society. In her speech, she shared the importance of each of the five principles of the NJHS and how they play a role in her educational career. Amarjahan is currently a freshman at the St. Croix Central High School.
Following Decambra’s speech was the ceremonial lighting of the candles for each NJHS principle. Inductees received their certificate of membership and lapel pin and then recited the NJHS pledge that formally made them apart of the Carlos F. Rodriguez Chapter.
In closing, Assistant Principal Lilly Cornelius congratulated students and their parents on a job well done and encouraged them to continue to do the things they’ve been doing that has gotten them thus far.
“It always warms my heart when I come to programs such as these because we do not give our students who are the brightest and the best enough of our attention… Parents without you this couldn’t happen. I encourage you to continue to do the things you’ve been doing that have gotten your student this far,” said Assistant Principal Cornelius.
Students who have and maintain an average of 85% or higher all received an application to apply to become a member. Students interested then had to submit the application where advisors reviewed it for approval according to a specific rubric and demonstrate the qualities of each of the five principals: scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship, and character.
Arthur A. Richards Junior High School National Junior Honor Society Inductees:
Denalia Byron
Isabella Cruz
K’manii Cumberbatch
Mariah Harris
Lebron James
Myah Kangal
Tyrone Lake
Ahmia Lendhardt
Azhanae Messer
Amya Michael
Illiana Perez
Siana Parris
Jermia Phillip
Ommaryse Rivera
Alianna Smith
Tyresha Stapleton
Naima Suarez
Jason Tuitt Jr.
Addis Tzaddi
Jamillia Williams
JeniyaJackson
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