By MICHELLE ADAMS / Community Columnist
Montevallo High School’s National Honor Society members attended the Mayor’s Breakfast Friday, Oct. 10 at the American Village. This opportunity introduced students to prominent local citizens and provided a chance to learn the motivational factors of those successful individuals.
Honorees at this year’s breakfast were Police Chief Jeremy Littleton, Reverend Michael Jones, the late John Oliver “Ollie” Tetloff, Bob Butterworth and McKenzie Hamby.
“Students heard of the wonderful things going on in their town,” NHS sponsor Anita Glover said. “They met town leaders and asked questions about journeys to success and received advice for making achievements in their own lives.”
Keynote speaker Bob Butterworth spoke of his personal history, his driven personality and his method for setting goals and working to achieve them. He told how a chance meeting turned into an advantageous opportunity for him, and now he can do more for others.
“Mr. Butterworth’s speech was impressive,” senior NHS member Cebastian Cardozo said. “He impressed upon me that everyone is born with the opportunity to affect their own future, so you must make it what you want.”
Senior Kelsie Sanders expressed appreciation for hearing from Ollie Tetloff’s mother, Meredith Tetloff, on how Montevallo rallied around their family during Ollie’s illness.
“It was encouraging to learn how special Montevallo really is,” Sanders said. “I also enjoyed hearing from Mr. Butterworth. We were able to ask him questions after the breakfast, and he stressed the importance of finding something you enjoy doing and being willing to spend the rest of your life doing it.”
In order for students to be inducted into the National Honor Society, they must demonstrate the four following qualities: Scholarship, service, leadership and character. Members are required to maintain a specific GPA and serve their school in a variety of ways.
NHS membership at MHS is currently comprised of 17 students, who participate in a range of activities to raise money and awareness for cystic fibrosis and muscular distrophy. In support of these causes, this year’s NHS is planning a winter formal and a color run with the community.