Lincoln-Way North students inducted into National Honor Society

Nearly 130 Lincoln-Way North High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) on Monday, Nov. 12.

The students were chosen for induction based on four criteria: scholarship, service, leadership and character.

“Congratulations to you outstanding young people,” Superintendent Lawrence A. Wyllie told the group. “May life be kind to you, and may you be kind to others.”

Principal Michael Gardner congratulated students for their hard work and dedication, saying it was because of their decision to take the more rigorous path academically that got them there.

Also on Monday, the honor society recognized a few adults who have demonstrated leadership, service and character.

Students presented a Community Award to neighbors Sylvia Schmaedeke, her daughter, Carol Schoeling, and Carol’s husband, Eldon Schoeling, who agreed to sell a portion of their farmland to Lincoln-Way High School District 210 nearly a decade ago so Lincoln-Way North could be built there.

“Without their assistance … this night would not be possible,” said NHS Vice President Casey Houlihan.

“We really do enjoy having the Lincoln-Way North community as our neighbors,” responded Eldon Schoeling, who spoke on behalf of the family.

Students also presented a Faculty Award to Michael Gardner – the school’s first principal who opened the school in 2008.

The educator, who plans to retire at the end of the 2012-13 school year, said it was an honor to accept the Faculty Award and that he is proud of all the students who have meticulously applied the four pillars of scholarship, leadership, service and character during their years at North.

“We are here tonight because they are preeminent in all four of these areas,” he said.

NHS faculty advisor Nicole Karges concluded the evening by congratulating the students as well as their family and friends.

“Because of your love and support, we are able to have such a great group of students up here tonight,” she said.