Seventy Mount Pleasant Junior High School seventh and eighth grade students are now members of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) following the official induction ceremony Tuesday night (January 10). Forty-five 7th graders and twenty-five 8th graders became members of the Magna Cum chapter of the NJHS. They join the forty-one returning eighth grade members.

Principal Kelli Glenn welcomed the students and their families to the induction ceremony.  She congratulated the students on their achievement. She also thanked the parents and family members noting that “these students sitting here are where they are today because of the support they receive from their families.”

The students and family members then heard a welcome by Maggie Ortega, MPJHS teacher and NJHS sponsor. She then described the NJHS Characteristic of Scholarship, explaining that members should pursue learning throughout their lives, that scholarship should not end when one leaves school.

Ortega introduced the Chapter officers who explained the other four characteristics of a NJHS member.  President Chazlea talked about Leadership and how important it is for NJHS members to develop Leadership skills. Vice President Mckala Price talked about Service and how members should help at their schools and in their community.  Secretary Taryn Thurman discussed Character and how NJHS members should always act responsibly and set a good example for those around them. Finally, Treasurer Kylie Hedge talked about Citizenship, explaining how NJHS members should demonstrate that they are good citizens of their communities, states and nation.

To be a member of the MPJHS Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, students had to have a 91 average, demonstrate leadership ability, good character, citizenship, and participate in community service.  They also had to be recommended by a teacher on the MPJHS campus.  Students must maintain these standards to remain a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Members of the Mount Pleasant Junior High School National Junior Honor Society are 7th graders: Lainy Blackstone, Jacob Bristow, Brian Bush, Ashlie Castillo, Nic Chappell, Parker Colley, Connelly Cowan, Carlie Cunningham, Audrey DeSantiago, Jacob Elliott, Tyler Elmore, Eduardo Espinoza, Karigan Fox, Juan Gandara, Connor Gillean, Jackelin Gomez, Maritza Gonzalez, Grelyn Goolsby, Ladi Guereca,  Mary Heeren, Taylor Hubbs, Katelyn Hulse, Kason Kelley, Mackenzie Lide, Elizabeth Lockett, Aylin Lopez, Haylee Martinez, Juan Mendoza, Zachary Milam, Leslie Moreno, Elijah Morris, Hunter Rasor, Holly Reese, Juan Retana, Kimberly Robles, Rachel Rodriguez, Johnathan Sandate, Brady Sisk, Sam Sloan, Keller Thompson, Amiah Thornton, Emmalee Wade, Kurion Walker, Anna Wall and  Donoven Young.

New 8th grade members are: Jordi Bello, Osbaldo Benitez, Peyton Bilbo, Lily Burrows, Juan Delgado, Victor Diaz, Ausena Esparza, Bryan Flores, Anna Harris, Kylie Hedge, Tylan Hines, Jordan Kunkel, Leslie Lara, Jose Luis Martinez, Lizbeth Mejia, Valerie Moreno, Preston Nguyen, Lesley Ortiz, Gavin Rider, Daniela Robles, Emily Santos, Aaliyah Simms, Mirka Soto, Maribel Torres and De’asia Woodson.

Returning 8th grade members are: Ashleigh Amerson, Kaitlyn Bolton, Ashlyn Brooks, Natalie Castillo, Brock Cooper, Lessele Cruz, Jada Douglas, Logan Dunn, Leslie Espinoza, Haidie Fielder, Gavin Fife, Christian Flores, Isabella Greco, Vanessa Guerrero, Makayla Houchin, Jashari Inostros, Makalya Kirkwood, Zaushalynn Lee, Faith Logan, Jaclyn Marroquin, Sakiriah Mason, Nataly Morales, Chazlea Morris, Sashi Paudel, Matthew Phillips, Mckala Price, Abrann Ramirez, Alejandra Ramirez, Patricia Roque, Oscar A. Sanchez, Jakayla Sanders, Didier Serrano, Ryan Sharp, Joselyn Smith, Lucas Sneed, Jennifer Soto, Taryn Thurman, Karen Trejo, Diana Velez, Tyler  Welborn and Jaycee Woods.

Pictured:  The new members of the MPJHS National Junior Honor Society recite the membership pledge.