Waseca Honor Society inducts 32

The Waseca chapter of the Minnesota Honor Society (MHS) inducted 32 members the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in the high school performing arts center. 

Waseca counselor Paul Marlin welcomed dozens of friends, family, and parents to the ceremony, which began at 7 p.m. Following his introduction, MHS senior members Lindsey Kopetzki and Grace Lapides spoke about leadership, integrity and service.

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. “But how can we, as leaders, exemplify this?” Kopetzki asked. 

“I’ve found that in most cases, showing integrity doesn’t need to be via grand gestures. More often than not, the smallest actions we do every day show who we really are.

“These may seem arbitrary on the surface, but they are what’s most visible to those around us,” Kopetzki continued. “Our coaches, teachers, and community members see these parts of us displayed in all we do. My challenge for the returning and newly inducted Minnesota Honors Society members is this: To lead with integrity and to be a positive role model within our activities, classrooms, and community.”

Lapides spoke about the work it takes to maintain a community. “By serving other people, we get to peer into lives different from our own,” Lapides said. “This helps create empathy and understanding in a world where that is what we need most. ​​Everyone who has been previously inducted or is being inducted into the Minnesota Honors Society tonight has demonstrated a desire and ability to learn not just in the classroom, but in our community as well.

“These kinds of experiences are what we will take with us when we exit high school and enter the vast world around us,” Lapides concluded. “For no matter where we go, one thing will always be the same: there will always be people to help, and there will always be people to learn from.”

Teacher favorite, social studies instructor Andrew Hopkins, delivered the keynote speech. 

“We’re here to celebrate your successes,” Hopkins expressed. “It is a challenge to balance the rigorous activities these kids are involved with alongside their family relationships and friendships… It is a tremendous accomplishment to be here today. Be proud of yourself, be proud of your classmates.” 

Following Hopkins, students Avery Madsen, Cecelia Huttemier, Megan Kanewischer, Christian Rodriguez, and Hanna Wilder lit the candles representing the “ideals of Minnesota Honor Society.” They were: the spirit of the torch, scholarship, service, leadership, and character. 

Samantha Azure, Jenarao Delgado Jr. and Charlet Harguth introduced the new inductees, who received pins and certificates acknowledging their selection. The night closed with all the members reciting the MHS Pledge, followed by closing remarks from Counselor Marlin. 

The current list of MHS, followed by the new inductees, are: 

New MHS members are eleventh graders, Sage Barnett, Lylah Bauman, Grace Below, Addison Bomsta, Mallory Bruhn, Tricia Cox, Noah Dahle, Quinn Dahle, Tarun Ewest, Tegan Flatau, Eduardo Gallegos, Sarah Haley, Emma Keith, Daniel Kohler, Ella Krautkremer, Suzanne Kuhns, Hannah LaCroix, Haydn Lynch, Preston Miller, Alison Mumme, Evelyn O’Brien, Ava Omtvedt, Andrew Robran, Elizabeth Roessler, Oliver Rohwer, Norah Schimming, Cameron Stagman, Ethan Stenzel, Trista Stinehart, Lucas Vasquez-Neigebauer, Addison Wieseler, Isabelle Wilhelmi, Kyle Ahlschlager, Sophia Krause, Thyme Lang, McKenna Miller, Camille Ring, and Jayme Sandbeck.

Returning MHS members are twelfth graders, Samantha Azure, Leah Bartelt, Maia Bartelt, Miranda Breck, Jersey Castle, Jenaro Delgado, Hailey Dettmer, Ella Dufault, Joseph Feldkamp, Isabella Hadley, Aubree Hansen, Charlet Harguth, Alexander Honstad, Kya Hoof, Cecelia Huttemeier, Megan Kanewischer, William King, Lindsey Kopetzki, Griffin Krautkremers, Grace Lapides, Avery Madsen, Jacqlyn Mathern, Christian Rodriguez, Chloe Schumacher, Haylee Sommers, Kloe Wadd and, Hannah Wilder.