RUMFORD — Nine juniors and nine sophomores at Mountain Valley High School took the National Honor Society pledge to hold to scholarly habits, engage in worthy service and lead forward in all things. By doing that, they commit to advance the welfare of the school.

President Katie Billings and Vice President Cam Welch lead the induction. Both reported on the activities of the Mountain Valley chapter, including a food drive, tutoring and the school recycling program.

The chapter also helped with the success of the state organization’s service projects. Those projects gathered more than 8,000 books for the Worldwide Book Drive, created more than 200 “I Care” bags for elementary school students and made blankets for Project Linus.

The guest speaker was Tracey Higley, a Rumford police sergeant who serves on the RSU 10 board and is the father of Ben and Samantha.

Current NHS members read about various aspects of the society. Erich Zurhorst read the history, Hannah LaPointe explained the lighting of the candle and Alexander Parent told of the spirit of the society. The four pillars of the society were read by Rebecca Maifeld, scholarship; Cam Welch, service; Kirstin Ridge, leadership; and Kyle Gauvin, character.

Next, NHS members read a short biography about each inductee. The inductee walked to the stage and lit an individual candle from the Candle of Knowledge.

The inductees included juniors Chelsea DeRoehn, Taylor Dickson, Chandler Gallant, Makenzie Gallant, Victoria Giberson, Devarae Gurney, Ryan Nicols, Jonathan Petrie and Joshua Rainey.

The sophomores are Rachel Averill, Shawn Bennett, Andrew Boucher, Kellie Dyment, Nathan Fitzpatrick, Ellie Hall, Abbey Pinkham, Katie Puiia and Mariah Witas. Tracey Higley was also inducted.

Principal Matt Gilbert presented pins and certificates to each inductee. He concluded the ceremony with a quote from famed basketball coach John Wooden, “Talent is what gets you to the top, but character is what keeps you there.”

Family and friends joined the new NHS members for congratulations, pictures and refreshments.