Celebrating Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character: MCHS Inducts 44 into National Honor Society – wimsradio.com
Office: (219) 809-0445 | On-Air Line: (219) 861-1632 | [email protected]
Michigan City, IN – October 23, 2025 – Parents, friends, teachers, and other supporters filled the Michigan City High School auditorium on Wednesday, October 22, as 44 juniors and seniors were inducted into the National Honor Society.
NHS President Ana’Leesa Toney led the induction ceremony, which also involved 33 MCHS seniors who were inducted as members last year. The event featured remarks from Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Wendel McCollum, MCHS Principal Dr. Mo Mroueh, and NHS sponsor Kristen Freitag.
NHS Vice President Makenna Nowatzke and Secretary Riley Emshwiller-Sowards introduced the student speakers, who addressed the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Character, and Leadership.
Madelyn Parry challenged inductees to consider the true definition of scholarship. “Scholarship, in its simplest form, is the effort of higher learning…inside and out of the classroom,” she said. “Scholars are committed to their learning no matter how difficult it may get for them.”
“When a person does an act of service, it is never done because it is required. It is done because you made a choice to step up to help others,” said Allison Sydow, speaking about service. “Service has not only allowed me to help others but has also helped me discover who I am.”
Milad Mroueh defined character as “the choices you make when no one is watching you. It is doing the right thing without expecting reward.” He urged peers to be mindful of their choices and values. “Your character is what will guide you through every challenge and opportunity ahead.”
Paige Merrill noted that leadership is “making a genuine attempt to help others in their time of need, choosing to step up and take on a responsibility, learning about your peers so that you can help them improve.” Merrill assured the audience that anyone can be a leader. “Watching others grow and change and knowing that you helped them succeed in doing so is a satisfaction like no other.”
According to NHS Chapter Historian Aralyn Daniels, the National Honor Society was established in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals to recognize and encourage scholastically outstanding high school students.
The MCHS chapter was formed in 1927 at what was then Michigan City High School – a building that later became Elston High School. The present MCHS National Honor Society chapter celebrated its 31st annual induction on Wednesday, joining more than 13,550 high schools nationwide with chapters.
“You have earned this distinction through consistent hard work and a genuine desire to make a difference,” said MCHS Principal Dr. Mohamed Mroueh. “I encourage you to continue striving for excellence and to use your talents to serve others.”
“Nothing else has the same kind of impact on people’s ability to achieve and to accomplish whatever is in their mind and heart’s desire,” said MCAS Superintendent Dr. Wendel McCollum. “The National Honor Society will be another way for your skills and commitment to others to be cultivated.”
2025 MCHS National Honor Society inductees included:
Batoul Achy, Mayim Barishman, Haley Barnes, Veronica Barnes, Ashlynn Bright, Kalee Burgess, Thomas Chatfield, Sanya Choudhary, Logan Decker, Rhianna Fisher, Brikiera Franklin, Elijah Green, Kyah Hart, Addyson Heichel, Camden Hernandez, Anthony Hood, Favian Huizar, Meerub Iftikhar, Daunte Jones, Rachel Jones, Donovan Joseph, Donavin Kappel, Bella Ketcham, Bronwyn Lewis, Lucille Murphy, Gabriella Patino, Gerardo Patino, Kara Potts, Angela Reynolds, Daryelle Rhodes, Kaylee Robinson, Emmanuel Sanchez, Makayla Sardon, Seidet Segura, Alvaro Serrano, Jonathan Shumate, Analeah Smith-Quino, Lauren Smoot, Kristina Sydoruk, David Symons, Jameelah Taylor, Jeremy Thompson, Nicolas Williams, Zacharias Williams
They joined the following seniors who were inducted in 2024:
Emma Abraham, Emeline Attar, Alexia Campbell, Aralyn Daniels, Payton Downs, Riley Emshwiller-Sowards, Brylee Fugate, Alexis Gresham, Abby Haring, Amaya Harmon, Anessa Ibrahim, Sahara Joyce, Daniel Kohn, Nathaniel Kutch, Jada McKendree, Paige Merrill, Isabella Moore, Torey Morris, Mahdi Mroueh, Milad Mroueh, Lucus Nelson, Makenna Nowatzke, Mia Palomo, Madelyn Parry, Olivia Payne, Carlos Serrano, Cameron Skeen, Isaiah Smoot, Nicholas Stewart, Allison Sydow, Analeesa Toney, Alyssa Tracy, and Maya Williams.
[email protected]
(219) 809-0445
685 East 1675 North
Michigan City, IN 46360
