On September 5th, the annual Student Leadership Induction Ceremony was held in the Morris Chapel. Student members of the Discipline Committee, Honor Council, Y Cabinet, Student Council, Tiger Tutors, and head prefects were recognized and inducted during the ceremony. This long-standing tradition is one of the few that is student-led and meant for students. The ceremony prioritizes commitment and student involvement, giving student members of leadership teams time to reflect and focus on their position. The ceremony begins with introductions from the Student Life leaders and the student presidents of the leadership organizations. Student members are then called forward before being asked to take a pledge in front of their teachers and peers.

“I think it’s a good way to present all the leaders to the assembly of people, especially if they got elected last year. They haven’t really been in any of the leadership ceremonies yet,” junior Cora Fannin said.

The pledge is an important part of the ceremony but just putting yourself out there in front of your classmates speaks volumes too. Showing your classmates that you are committed to the school and to leadership was a key takeaway from the ceremony.

“I think it’s important, so they can know that you’re there for them and that you can help whenever it’s needed, and do the right thing,” sophomore William Jackson said.

The public and formal induction is a unique experience and often a first for many students. Many positions require an application process, interview, or a speech to be elected or selected so the formal installation helps bring that process to a close.

“Being formally inducted has made me take my role as a leader more seriously. All of these people watching me get inducted are now counting on me to full fill my positions to my fullest extent, therefore this ceremony really lets it settle in that people need you for these roles, and have therefore made me take these positions more seriously,” senior Megan Pinkley said.

Being a leader is a high school highlight for many people and is more than a position or a line on their college application.

“So one of the big reasons I chose to become a leader was for the experience. I think, you know, trying to build up leadership qualities is pretty important, especially going off to college, you know, learning how to communicate, learning how to listen to people. And, you know, just to be a good impact positive impact on people is a very important skill,” senior Gracie Cowan said.