National Honor Society welcomes ten MACHS students

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Username

Password

Login

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.

Email

Submit

← Back

The Parnassus Chapter of the National Honor Society welcomed ten new students during an induction ceremony held at Mount Ayr Community High School on November 22, 2023. New inductees included Dylan Graham, Olivia Huntington, Jaxy Knight, Louden Main, Tyler Martin, Ashlyn Murphy, Brock Shaha, Adan Trujillo, Ella Vanderflught, Kamryn Willis.

In order for a student to be eligible for the National Honor Society, they must have a four-semester grade point average of 3.6. All students meeting this qualification are invited to apply for membership.
A faculty committee considers student applications, focusing on the student’s service to the school and community, leadership skills, and character. Students receiving favorable application reviews are recommended for induction.
Current NHS members drafted the following introductions for the newly selected members, which were delivered during the ceremony.

Dylan Graham
Introduction by: Anne Newton
Dylan Graham is the 11th grade son of Daniel and Jentry Graham. Throughout high school, Dylan has been involved in football, basketball, golf, baseball, and many cornhole events.
Dylan has varsity lettered in football, golf, and baseball. Dylan has been on the A honor roll for both semesters of his freshman, sophomore, and junior years.
When not involved in sports, Dylan has volunteered helping put on golf tournaments and umpiring middle school and youth little league games.
One of Dylan’s teachers said, “Dylan is always exhibiting good character. He has an outgoing personality and a smile on his face. He speaks to others in the hallway and is willing to work with others in class and always has a positive attitude with everyone.”

Olivia Huntington
Introduction by: Karly Elwood
Olivia Huntington is the 11th grade daughter of Bill and Diana Huntington. Olivia is currently involved in volleyball, club volleyball, golf, drill team, HELP Pod, student council, drama, and speech.
She has been recognized for many achievements including POI Volleyball Academic All conference, KMA Volleyball all-freshman, all-sophomore, and all-defense, all while staying on A and B honor roll.
One of Olivia’s teachers said “Olivia is an exemplary student who consistently exhibits outstanding character in the classroom. Her behavior, attitude, and interactions with peers reflect a strong commitment to positive values and a dedication to creating a supportive and productive environment…Even when facing challenges or difficult assignments, she approaches them with determination and a can-do spirit. This positivity is contagious and motivational”
To follow that truthful remark, I have had the honor of being close with Olivia for many years and I know she will be a great addition to NHS. She is not only a great friend but a great person.
She is always striving to do better and make everyone around her better and is the person that wants to stay after practice to keep working, is always pushing everyone and herself.

Jaxy Knight
Introduction by: Ryce Reynolds
Jaxy Knight is the 11th grade daughter of Megan Griffith and Jacobs Knight. Inside the classroom, Jaxy has been dedicated enough to her academics that she has put herself on the ‘A’ honor roll both her freshman and sophomore years.
This dedication not only applies to the classroom, however: Jaxy’s freshman year, she was a member of two relays that placed 2nd and 6th place at the Iowa High School State Track Meet. Later that summer, she was on the softball team that qualified for the state tournament in Fort Dodge.
To quote one of Jaxy’s teachers: “Jaxy is a very enjoyable and respectful person. She always has something nice to say and does not hesitate to give up her own time to help others.”
In my years of knowing Jaxy, she has always been good at one thing: putting a smile on others’ faces, including my own. Her stories and her sense of humor can be counted on as a good pick-me-up, no matter what the situation may be.

Louden Main
Introduction by: Birk Willis
Louden Main is the 11th grade son of Wiley and Carrie Main. He has been active in our school, lettering in football, basketball, golf, and being involved in FFA.
Louden was named Athlete of the week in football and has earned his Greenhand and Chapter Degree in FFA.
Out of all of his accomplishments, I am most impressed by his work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. He owns his own forage and detailing businesses, which has required hundreds of hours of labor.
Additionally, Louden works for the benefit of others and estimates that he has spent 75 hours in community service working at the community haunted house.
One of Louden’s teachers said “I am very impressed with Louden’s level of initiative and responsibility. He is balancing being a student, an athlete, and working multiple jobs to support what he wants to do. That level of drive and initiative will be very beneficial to Louden after HS.”

Tyler Martin
Introduction by: Ryce Reynolds
Tyler Martin is the 11th grade son of Shane and Kim Bishop. Not only has Tyler shown success on the field, the court, and the ball diamond, he has shown success in the classroom.
Along with being an all-district first-team linebacker and running back in football and all-freshman and all-reserve teams in basketball, Tyler has managed to keep himself on the ‘A’ honor roll every semester in high school.
A quote from one of Tyler’s coaches says, “What (Tyler) brings on the field translates into his life off the field. He works to serve and lead others with the highest of character.”
When Tyler started coming to school in Mount Ayr back in middle school, he was new to all of us, and the more I got to know him, the more I saw how humble, respectful, and genuine Tyler is. And although Tyler is younger than me, in many ways, I look up to him and everything he exemplifies.

Ashlyn Murphy
Introduction by: Hayden Ruggles
Ashlyn Murphy is the 11th-grade daughter of Jim and Tara Murphy. In high school, Ashlyn has taken an active role, currently participating in volleyball, track, FCA, and FCCLA, and previously in basketball and drama.
Ashlyn has been able to achieve Most Valuable Player twice in volleyball and received academic all-conference honors in track and volleyball. Ashlyn is active in her church, including being a part of the FCA leadership group and volunteering her time in Missio Kids Ministries.
One of her coaches stated that Ashlyn rates highly in the category of “Taking criticism willingly and accepting recommendations graciously” commenting that “she has never had another student or athlete so willing to accept and do something with the criticism given to them. She uses every ounce of advice and help given to improve herself. This is one of the many qualities that is going to take Ashlyn extremely far in life.”
As I have gotten to know Ashlyn more, I can attest that Ashlyn has always been the type of person who wants to grow as an athlete and as a Christian. She is motivated, gives her best, and tackles her goals to become successful; Ashlyn is a great athlete, classmate, and also a great friend.

Brock Shaha
Introduction by: Birk Willis
Brock Shaha is the 11th grade son of Travis and Judy Shaha and is an active member of student council, Leader in Me, football, and wrestling. Brock has achieved much through his sports career including being named the KMA, POI Freshman and Sophomore Wrestler of the year, qualifying for state wrestling two times, placing 5th last year.
Academically, Brock has earned “A” honor roll every term in high school. Brock is currently junior class vice president, was president of his class year, and has served on student council each year.
One of Brock’s teachers said “Brock is a hard worker who does what he needs to be successful. He works hard in every area of his life and is conscientious of what needs to be done. Brock also manages to reach high levels of success while balancing all aspects of his life.”
While many know him for school related activities, I know Brock best from the Ringgold County Fair where we enjoy showing cattle and competing against each other.

Adan Trujillo
Introduction by: Mya Sackett
Adan Trujillo is the 11th grade son of Salvador and Mabel Trujillo. Adan is currently involved in football, basketball, track, Leader in Me, student council, drama, and has ran cross country and been in band.
Adan has been recognized with a Student Of the Month Shout Out during his 9th and 10th grade year and has earned varsity letters in baseball and basketball.
Adan is hardworking and eager when called to serve our school. He was a server at this year’s Hall of Fame Banquet, has volunteered at the Junior Raider FB tournaments, and provides invaluable leadership to his Lighthouse Action Team and the Student Council.
To quote one of his teachers: “Adan is a natural leader. The quality that sets Adan apart from other leaders is his approach to hearing everyone’s ideas. He does not turn away from peers when they come to him with something. He truly listens to others input and takes it into consideration when making decisions.”
I got to know Adan during last year’s TAG class and through drama, and it did not surprise me to learn of his acceptance into the National Honor Society.

Ella Vanderflught
Introduction by: Brayden Hale
Ella Vanderflught is the 11th grade daughter of Josh and Courtney Vanderflught. Throughout high school, Ella has been involved in numerous activities in which she has received recognition.
Ella is a member of the Raider’s Got Talent Lighthouse Team, the Stomp Out Stigma Mental Health Awareness organization, and founding member of our school’s revived FCCLA chapter.
Ella has been recognized by her teachers as a Respectful Raider and earned a 2nd place at the FCCLA leadership conference is Fall. Ella is a well-known young woman in our community.
To quote one of Ella’s teachers: “Ella is a tremendous addition to our district. She has such a warm, caring, and compassionate personality that makes those around her feel welcome. What I admire most about Ella is her composure when given a task that requires deep thought. She approaches challenging tasks with a calm, well-thought-out approach to achieve success.”
I know Ella to be a strong-willed and studious person who is also courageous and protective. She is unafraid to stand-up for her beliefs and those she loves. Ella is someone that you can count on and trust. It has been a pleasure to meet, get to know, and associate myself with Ella.

Kamryn Willis
Introduction by: Janna Irving
Kamryn Willis is the 11th grade daughter of Cole and Casey Willis. I have had the pleasure of knowing Kami and I can attest to the nice remarks of her teachers.
Kami is a kind soul and has a good heart. She lifts people up when needed, gives her all everyday, and strives to keep her grades up.
Kami participates in volleyball, football cheer, golf, drama, speech, SOS, FFA, and 4-H. She is a great teammate, friend, and her hard work has led to notable achievements including placing 11th at POI golf, being named KMA’s POI All-Sophomore Girls Golf team, to the school Honor Roll, and Reserve Champion Team at the Pottawattamie County livestock judging contest.
Kami is the president of the Junior Farmers 4-H Club and was elected as a class officer her sophomore year.
Kami’s teachers feel, as I do, that she exemplifies the qualities for membership in the NHS. They say she shows leadership, is hard working, and always willing to try something new. Her coaches say she is a strong team member willing to accept constructive criticism and stays true to her word.
She strives to make herself and others around her better. She displays self-discipline and makes herself 1% better every single day.