By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— The five pillars of the National Junior Honor Society— scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship— were the topic of discussion May 12 when 70 Riverchase Middle School students were inducted into the society.

“The purpose of this society is to demonstrate high achievement in all of the pillars of the National Junior Honor Society to other students so they will be inspired to emulate these qualities,” said sponsor Joe Kervin.

The first pillar of the organization is scholarship, Kervin explained. He said making good grades is important, and it will help the students throughout their lives. It takes hard work, he said, but good grades will be rewarded in the future through scholarships and higher education.

“School helps prepare you for life,” he said. “The better your grades, the better lives you will have in the future.”

RMS’s chapter president, Dominic Fanella, lit a candle representing service. He described service as something performed for the betterment of others as a way to help the community.

“The initial purpose for service was not to help those in need, but to help strengthen the character and resolve of the person performing the service,” he said. “You learn many things from public service. You learn how to help others, but you learn how fortunate you are and how grateful you are for the gifts you have.”

Ellie McPhearson, chapter vice president, discussed the pillars of leadership and character. She said through honesty, courage and integrity, junior honor society members may demonstrate character.

While students may stumble along their journey, McPhearson said the qualities of determination, courage and loyalty will help them become leaders in their communities.

“Leadership is one of the most needed and yet neglected qualities in life,” she said. “A leader is someone who can take control of a situation and guide others to be the best they can be.”

Jesse Clopton, the chapter treasurer, told the students citizenship means acquiring membership in a community whether it be the city of Pelham, the school or at home. To belong to a community, Clopton said the students should make strides to make it better all the time.

Each of the 70 inductees was given a certificate of excellence to recognize their academic success.

“You must strive to better everyday in all aspects of your life,” Kervin told the students before presenting them with certificates. “To better is to strive higher first and then to achieve. Bettering yourselves takes perseverance, determination and hard work, and by achieving these today, society will be better tomorrow.”