MCS honor societies land in the news

Three Mount Carmel School honor societies were front and center in a publication that honored the school for its ability to provide a “true sense of continuity” for those inducted as elementary or middle-level students.

The National Elementary Honor Society News recognized the significance of having three chapters under MCS.

Three years ago, Mount Carmel’s NEHS chapter made its debut under the direction of principal Frances Taimanao, who believed that the character development provided by honor societies would be beneficial to the entire school.

School president and 1991 AlumKnight Galvin Deleon Guerrero said, “As much of the research in childhood development demonstrates, the foundation for lifelong success is laid in early childhood. So it’s important to recognize and promote academic achievement and service with organizations like the National Elementary Honor Society.”

The older students get to serve as role models, while the younger students are able to see firsthand what it takes to excel over the long term.

Each fully separate chapter is geared toward the age of the students who gain membership. Together, however, the trio of honor societies at Mount Carmel is able to interact, thanks to the structure of the school. For example, in 2016, they held a joint ceremony where 66 students were inducted into their respective national honor societies as part of a celebration for the 20th anniversary of NHS at the school.

The members take action via service activities, from supporting community projects such as the Marianas March Against Cancer and American Red Cross Walkathon, to lending a hand at the Salvation Army’s soup kitchen and several community cleanups.

As fifth-grade NEHS member Ranasia Bocago puts it, “This program helps shape my education by [helping me be] a role model to my peers; keep up with my studies; and help my community, my school, and especially those in need.”

Sixth-grader Yurihana Sasamoto echoes Bocago, saying, “We are here to help everyone in our community.”

Being a leader at school and in the community is something that senior and NHS president Michael Ortizo—once a member of NJHS—takes to heart: “It is only by example that we can really learn and grow and the national honor society acts as that example for everyone striving to become a good role model.”