Thirteen juniors and 10 seniors joined the Daniel I. Farren Chapter of Lehighton Area High School's National Honor Society during Wednesday night's induction ceremony, held at the high school.

Following a piano prelude by NHS vice president Michael Warkala, NHS advisor Matthew Fisher welcomed family and friends to the induction.He addressed the students, stating that they need to be safe in their decisions, be respectful of others and themselves and be responsible for their actions.He commended them for their well-rounded personalities and explained that the NHS members have been involved in food and clothing drives, are tutors and are active members of their community.Fisher then remembered the many losses the school has experienced over the last few years, from the passing of alumni and students, to prominent members of the Lehighton community; and announced that the Lehighton National Honor Society will be taking up the challenge of beginning a memorial."Tonight I am proud to announce that the NHS members will create a memorial garden somewhere on the school grounds," he said, noting that it will be a place where anyone can come and enjoy it. "The students can form a legacy this year."A prayer was then given by NHS senior member Shyanne Kleintop, followed by senior Peter Petrack, historian of Lehighton's NHS, reading a brief history of the National Honor Society. The descriptions of the four virtues that a student must possess when they are a member of the society were read by fellow senior NHS members.Nicholas Mantz spoke of scholarship; Kara Serfass read service; Sydney Schafer read character; and Stacey Kerschner read leadership.President Jonathan Strauss and Warkala then introduced the present members of the society and then the new inductees, while Fisher, and Timothy Tkach, principal at LAHS, presented the awards and pins.The new NHS inductees are: seniors - Parker David, Jayden Hensley, Adam Reichard, Ashley Sensinger, Lindsay Simmons, Justin Freeby, Jessica Pell, Caitlin Roth, Sarah Shiner, and Graham Strauss; juniors - Kaitlyn Bandholz, Hannah Bartron, Alden Everett, Brandon Everett, Elyse Kistler, Sarah Kistler, Emily Lauer, Tyler Martz, Jacen Nalesnik, Elizabeth Reichard, Tia Rex, Alex Rubin, and Matthew Schweitzer.Senior members are: Jordan Burbage, Isabelle Chew, Zachary Coleman, Laura Cressley, Anthony Farole, Evalina Heckman, Stacey Kerschner, Shyanne Kleintop, Nicholas Mantz, Nicole Myrtle, Carter McCandless, Peter Petrack, Sydney Schafer, Kara Serfass, Jena Smith, Jonathan Strauss, James Sverchek, and Michael Warkala.Evalina Heckman and Laura Cressley also performed a musical selection, We Are One.Following the induction of new members, guest speaker James Corpora, economics teacher at LAHS, addressed the audience.He talked about the four virtues and how the members of the Lehighton NHS represent them."As I sat here and listened to the names being read, I was very impressed," Corpora said. "This is a special group. They deserve a lot of credit."He congratulated the 41 NHS members for the hard work they have done.He then told them to never apologize for excelling in their academics or their lives."Carry yourself with humility and class," Corpora said.Closing remarks were provided by Tkach. He congratulated each of the students and their parents for the hard work they have done to reach this level of excellence."These students are tremendous assets that we are blessed to have in this building," Tkach said to the parents.He then turned to the students and said, "You will make a difference. Don't ever sell yourself short. You have changed the school for the better."Following the ceremony, a reception was held for family and friends in the hallway of the school.