NHS Keeps Busy in 2008

In the months of January and February, Aurora Central Catholic’s National Honor Society members participated in two significant fundraisers for charity and inducted the new members into the group.

The first of these fundraisers was the “Penny War.” Each class, freshman through senior, had a jar in the library. Pennies placed in one’s class’s jar counted for positive points, and all other change and dollar bills counted for negative points. In the end, the senior class was triumphant, and received a Blue and Gold Day for their efforts. Nearly $600 dollars was raised with the “Penny War,” and it was all donated to charity.

In conjunction with the Key Club, the National Honor Society also donated $500 to St. Jude’s Children’s Memorial Hospital. This institution was very grateful for the donation, and very thoroughly thanked our school community for the generous donation. In the thank-you note, St. Jude’s mentioned the importance of such donations, as they contribute to efforts in researching various diseases and cancers, such as neuroblastoma. St. Jude’s Memorial Hospital is known as being on the cutting edge in the cancer research fields. Donations, such as that of Aurora Central, help to fund the research that has and will continue to save lives, especially those of children.

On Sunday, February 24th, 2008, the National Honor Society inducted its new members in a beautiful ceremony held in the school cafetorium. After a Mass, officiated by Father Etheredge, the current and new National Honor Society members proceeded into the cafetorium. Mrs. Roess, the new moderator of the group, said words of congratulations and welcome to the members of NHS. Then, the current officers, Sean Grismer, Kelli Schmidt, Matt Sullivan, and Liz Kottkamp, each read a description of the expectations of a member of the National Honor Society in the areas of service, leadership, scholarship, and character. Each officer then lit a candle. As each of the other members had their sashes turned and received congratulations from the officers, Mrs. Roess, and Father Etheredge, each also lit their own candle before standing together at the base of the stage. The ceremony was moving, and its dual nature of both solemnity and respect only added to the experience.

The National Honor Society also contributed $200 to the scholarship fund for future Chargers through the annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament. The winning team in the tournament included ACC alumnus, Eric Edmonds. NHS will continue to contribute to the Aurora Central community with its upcoming Walk-A-Thon, to be held on April 25th. The honor of being involved in this group is not lost on its members, and this pride contributes greatly to the successful acts of charity that have been accomplished.