The Eugene Brooks Intermediate School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society welcomed 11 new members at an induction ceremony on April 10.

“It’s a great opportunity that I’m willing to take because it just shows that I’m doing well academically,” said seventh grader and inductee Kylie McGhee.

McGhee is a new inductee with sixth graders Liam Diaz, Anthony Miles and Dany Xo Coc; seventh graders Rouvana Aboueid, Alexandra Connolly, Luke Franks, Kase Lawrence, and Jonathan Matus; and eighth graders Sabin Kain and Mariana Martinez-Reyes.

“I’m pretty excited because this is good for college,” said Martinez-Reyes. “It gives you a lot of opportunities. I think the biggest challenge is getting community service hours because I do a lot of sports after school.”

Diaz added, “It means a great achievement for students who work well and hard.”

The new members join existing members Kristel Pacay Tec, Genesis Singleton, Ryan Morrissey, Nolan Howard, Emely Alvarado Cordova, Daniel Arteaga, Caleb Cook, Fiona Crow, James Henry Dore, Corbin Gellweiler-Gerlich, Peyton LaMarche, Alyssa Macagnone, Bella Milano, Johnathan Muldoon and Pearse Williams.

Pacay Tec and Singleton are the president and vice president, respectively, and were the masters of ceremony for the event. Morrissey and Howard are the co-treasurers.

“This is very exciting and very good for them because it goes on their resumes for college and it gives them a lot of opportunities for the future,” said Howard of the new inductees. “It’s not only about grades, it’s about your character and your commitment to this society.”

Pacay Tec added about the National Junior Honor Society, “I think it’s really fun and you get to learn a lot from it.”

Robert Farrier, district business administrator, served as the guest speaker.

“This evening we’re celebrating a tremendous accomplishment of each of these fine students who exemplify the five pillars of the National Junior Honor Society,” Farrier said in his speech. “Each student should be proud of their accomplishments in receiving their nomination into this select organization.”

Farrier’s speech was part of a ceremony that featured new member introductions, the inductees saying the society pledge, the singing of the National Anthem by Crow and the lighting of the candles signifying the National Junior Honor Society’s five pillars – scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship and character.

Jennifer Hengen, principal of EBIS, served before the current school year as principal of Webutuck Elementary School.

“It’s so amazing to see them go through all the different stages of growing up: the independence I see, the ability to advocate for themselves, and ask for help when they’re not sure,” she said.