Having met the required virtues of scholarship, character, leadership and service, eight new members were inducted into the Cleveland High School National Honor Society on Tuesday during a ceremony held in the new gymnasium.
They are (from L-R in the photo above):
Blake Lyons is the son of Candace Lyons and Peter Lyons. A sophomore, he participates in basketball, football, baseball, concert band and jazz band. He is the captain of the football and basketball teams and is a positive role model for younger students and athletes. He volunteers at various youth camps and by coaching youth sports teams. He is employed at Mid State Holdings during the summer as a construction worker.
Mya Lassiter is the daughter of Andi and Scott Lassiter. A sophomore, she is active in Yearbook, Student Council, SADD, volleyball and softball. She shows leadership through yearbook photography and page design, selling coffee and doughnuts, helping run blood drives and as class president. She has served her community by coaching 7th and 8th-grade spring volleyball and volunteering at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Cleveland as a youth religion and vacation bible school helper.
Evelyn Keltgen is the daughter of Kris and Melissa Keltgen. A sophomore, she is active in FFA, Student Council, Knowledge bowl, school volleyball, SPVA Club Volleyball, jazz band, concert band, pep band, Mankato Area Community Band and Gustavus Campus Band. She shows leadership by being a reporter for the FFA and also helps run the chapter meetings and plan the group's activities. She has served her community by volunteering at the Pancake House at Le Sueur County Pioneer Power, where she washes dishes and cleans. She also helps at the many FFA activities, such as the Craft Fair, Elementary Ag Day and Feed My Starving Children.
Jackson Bowen is the son of Troy and Dana Bowen. A sophomore, he is active in Scouts, Knowledge Bowl, concert band and jazz band. He shows leadership by helping his classmates, speaking up when needed in class, delegating tasks in group activities and as a Senior Patrol Leader in his Scout troop. He has served his community by helping landscape Cleveland’s Church of Nativity, cleaning up along Highway 99 and repainting the fire hydrants in Cleveland.
Madysen Seely is the daughter of Mark and Valarie Seely. A junior, she is active in volleyball, youth service, concert band, jazz band and College in the School classes. She has been her class president for the last two years and helps younger students in the school’s mentor program. She volunteers at the Royal Family Kids Camp and is employed by the Capital Room in St. Peter.
Cassandra Connor, daughter of Bill and Rebecca Connor, is active in volleyball, softball, concert band, jazz band and student council. A junior, she volunteers in her church and in school functions and works at Kokomos restaurant in Cleveland.
Dylan Zimmerman is the son of David and Carolyn Zimmerman. A junior, he is active in baseball, Boy Scouts, college classes and the jazz band. He is the Senior Patrol Leader in Boy Scouts. He has served the community in the scouts and with ditch cleanups, the foods shelf and being a German-Jefferson Sportsman's Club member. He is employed at Family Fresh grocery store in St. Peter.
Abigail Osness is the daughter of Tina Lamont. A junior, she is a member of the trap team, the Tech Club, the Art Club and the concert band. She shows leadership as the product manager of the Tech Club and as an assistant teacher at Sunday School. She has served her community during a 40-mile beach cleanup and by helping renovate her church fellowship area. She is employed by Casey’s convenience store in Elysian.
Along with other service projects, recycling paper has been the NHS members’ primary school-wide service project over the years. Over the last two decades, they have recycled an estimated 3 million pounds of paper, the equivalent of 25,500 trees. Last year, they included aluminum cans in their recycling program.
Academic achievement in grades 9-12 determines scholastic standings. Eligible students need a GPA of 3.4 or higher. Participation in activities and maturity of attitude towards rules, school staff and fellow students determine leadership and character.
Other members who are current students are sniors Katie Cink (president), Harley Connor (vice president), Samantha Wondra (secretary), Lilly Draheim (treasurer), Emily Holden, Ava LaFrance, Sarena Remiger, Jacob Rohlfing, Sophie Shouler, Emma Sweere and Amelia Tauer and junior Olivia Shouler.
The NHS is a nationwide organization. The Cleveland chapter of the NHS was organized back in 1963. Charter members were Jane Alinder, James Beckel, Gary Dauk, Jane Dauk, Mary Grice, Betty Harty, Carol Krenik, Lee Ann Krenik, Ruth Ann Lloyd, Carol Jean Rosner, Rita Anne Schloesser, Chrystal Severson, Pat Traxler and Ronald Tschann. Over the years, over 500 members have been inducted.
Business teacher Geraldine Davis was the first advisor. Home economics teacher Marge Cooney took over in 1969 and served until 1973. English teacher and librarian Virginia Grabow was advisor into the late 1990s when Linda Ross and student counselor Betty Jo Braun begin their tenure. Braun served for 17 years. Current advisors are art teacher Bre Roberts and Spanish teacher Lupita Marchan.
Current student NHS member include Sophie Shouler, Lilly Draheim, Ava LaFrance, Emma Sweere, Blake Lyons, Olivia Shouler, Mya Lassiter, Emily Holden, Evelyn Keltgen, Jacob Rohlfing, Jackson Bowen, Amelia Tauer, Madysen Seely, Katie Cink, Cassandra Connor, Harley Connor, Dylan Zimmerman, Sarena Remiger, Samantha Wondra and Abigail Osness.