Remarks Presented by
Representative Ellen M. Bard
at the
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION
Abington Junior High School
October 21, 2004
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Good evening. It is a great pleasure to participate in honoring the best and the brightest of Abington Junior High School. We welcome these fine students tonight into the elite company of what is and always has been a prestigious academic society.
To tonight’s inductees, I offer my sincerest congratulations on your accomplishments. And I congratulate your parents, as well, for supporting, encouraging and guiding you through these most challenging years in a most challenging time.
And I would also like to mention and to congratulate your teachers, school administrators and School Board Members who have helped to make the Abington system a multi-award winning, highly respected school system, thereby making your induction tonight even more meaningful.
National Honor Society members are recognized as scholars, exemplary citizens, and as leaders. Induction into the National Honor Society is an achievement that each one of you can take pride in tonight, tomorrow and for the rest of your lives. I know my own induction at West Anchorage High School in Anchorage Alaska – more years ago than I would like to admit – is still a special memory for me. At that time I planned to be an airline stewardess (now called a flight attendant), the U.S. was getting close to putting a man on the moon (no one talked about a “person on the moon”), the price of gasoline was about 25 cents a gallon, my high school was still recovering from the effects of the largest recorded earthquake in North America, and I was beginning my battle with a complexion problem, and, finally, getting my braces removed from my teeth! These were very important years indeed!
Tonight, I would like to take this opportunity to talk about leadership and what it means to be a leader. There are two thoughts that I particularly would like to impart this evening.
First, I hope that you will remember that each and every one of you can make a critical difference in the future course of the human race.
Some people say that individuals don’t make a difference to the course of community events or on a larger scale – to the course of human history. To the contrary, I believe individuals, specific individuals like you, have and always will make critical differences. And, I believe, that each of you will have the opportunity in your lifetime to make a difference, through your leadership, in the lives of others. If one single person can’t make a difference then how do we account for the impact of a Mahatma Gandhi or the inspiration and enthusiasm offered to our nation by the young president, John F. Kennedy?
Leadership is a much desired and respected attribute. With leadership, however, comes responsibility. Always remember: to whom much has been given, much is expected.
This brings up the second concept that I would hope you will remember after tonight: the moral compass. The responsibility of a leader is to always follow a moral compass. The moral compass guides a leader to follow a path that advances the community as a whole.
Truth, integrity, ethical behavior, discipline, inspiring and altruistic action – these are key points on your moral compass.
Taking the path of truth is critically important. Too often, we observe untruthful actions, often taken in self-interest. We are a nation that believes in truth and fairness. Untruthful actions work to destroy the trust that is the foundation of the leadership of our society.
Following a moral compass, despite pressure to do otherwise tries integrity. One of the best tests of ethical behavior that I know of is whether you pass the reading test. Would you want to read about what you are doing in the newspaper? Would you be proud to have your parents and grandparents and siblings read about your actions? If the answer is no, you can bet you’re not following your moral compass.
Ethical behavior is not easily maintained when the force of peer pressure, influence and self-interest are brought to bear.
Unfortunately, the business section of the newspaper each day contains articles about managers and executives who are sentenced to prison because somehow they lost their moral compass. Certainly we’ve all heard about Martha Stewart’s incarceration for lying about illegal actions. On the other hand, think how good it makes you feel to read about someone who found a wallet and returned it, untouched, to its rightful owner. Such righteous actions build-up our society and give us faith in the good of mankind.
By their principled example, successful leaders inspire and motivate others to be the best they can be. That is an awe-inspiring task. Had George Washington not been able to rally an army of soldiers, hungry, and low in morale, we would have lost the War for American Independence. Fortunately for us, George Washington was a great leader.
The leader who follows a moral compass will be emulated throughout the community; great leaders are a beacon throughout history. Although history may record the actions of tyrants and although we may call them powerful, we won’t call them leaders.
Another point on the compass is discipline. William Penn, the founder of our Commonwealth, put it best when he said: “No man is fit to command another who cannot command himself.’’
When you were a small child, you were disciplined by your parents and perhaps at times by your teachers. In this way, you began to be taught requirements of a complex society. But today, as teenagers, and tomorrow, as adults, the key to your success will be your own ability to successfully meld your requirements and society’s through self-discipline. It’s never easy, but you must always adhere to your own exacting standards and never settle for less, or take the easy way out.
John Wooden, UCLA’s legendary basketball coach, gave his players words to live by. He told them, “Discipline yourself, so others won’t have to.’’
Another point - a leader doesn’t just talk about objectives or solutions. Leadership requires inspiring and altruistic action. No doubt you’ve heard of the expression, “Lead by example. And, of course, there’s the old adage, “Actions speak louder than words.”
A leader is on the front lines, down in the trenches, doing whatever it takes to lead the charge. By his or her actions, a leader inspires others to action. Inspires others to do their best.
Honor Society inductees, I would urge you tonight to recognize during your upcoming high school years, the many opportunities to exercise leadership and to test your moral compass. The years ahead offer untold challenges and opportunities to channel your abilities for the benefit of those around you.
Your talent, your energy, your time -- all of it is needed by people and organizations right here in your own backyard. You are in a position to give something back. And remember, to give of yourself may be the greatest gift you can ever give.
I want to thank the faculty and administration for inviting me to tonight’s ceremony. It’s a privilege to be in the presence of students who I believe will be among the great leaders of the 21st century.
Inductees, your accomplishments thus far have brought you here tonight. But this is just the beginning of your journey.
The future will depend on leaders like you. Let me reiterate… to whom much has been given, much is expected. You’ve been given great gifts. Continue to make the most of them. With your moral compass as your guide, you will surely make a difference – in the lives of others and in the life of our community.
I wish you all the very best.