Shelby County students Mandi Aiken of Calera and Claudia Yareli Chavez Martinez of Pelham were initiated into the University of Montevallo’s chapter of the honors organization Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD).

ALD is a national honor society with a mission to encourage superior academic achievement among students in their first year attending institutions of higher education.

“Being inducted into ALD is just the first accomplishment for this group of students,” said Randi Tubbs, Montevallo’s ALD chapter adviser. “They will go on to join other honor societies and clubs and will carve out a place at UM, while making a difference on campus and in their communities.”

Eligibility for membership in ALD is based on students having a grade point average of 3.5 or better during their first semester of college while enrolled full time.

ALD members who graduate with a GPA of 3.5 or higher receive the senior certificate. Additionally, students graduating with the highest grade-point-average in their class receive the Maria Leonard Book Award from the society’s National Council.

According to the honor society’s website, ALD additionally “seeks to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning, and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society.”

“I would like to note that with motivation, applying myself and most importantly with God by my side, I am able to achieve this honor and continue to follow my dream, which is to become an orthodontist. I appreciate the recognition which also motivates me to do the best that I know I can do,” said Aiken.