Congratulations to the Spring 2021 Franklin High School Inductees into the William R. Athanas Chapter of the National Honor Society. Kolbe Bunker, Ayden Barton, Evan Hardy, Lily Johnson, and Alexis Mango were inducted this evening. We are so proud of your accomplishments! Mr. Bedard was the keynote speaker and his speech is below:
"Good evening! First let me offer my congratulations to Ayden, Kolbe, Evan, Lily, and Alexis as this night is first and foremost about you and your accomplishments that got you here. But the National Honor Society induction ceremony is not just a celebration of our new members but of all members regardless of when they were inducted. It is a reminder that while character, leadership, scholarship, and service led you on a path to this organization, your induction was not an endpoint, but rather a beginning. As members of the National Honor Society, you exemplify the best of Franklin High School. You are the captains of our athletic teams, officers of student clubs, leads on the stage, and workers in the community. You are the ones giving of your time and energy to the school community and local organizations. You are the ones who understand the importance of staying on top of your studies and understand that the other things are called extracurriculars for a reason, because the whole reason you are here is to learn and grow academically. To prepare yourselves to be educated members of society. To have the skills needed to not only survive but thrive in a 21st century economy.
Now I will neither confirm nor deny the rumor that teachers have favorite students, but I can confirm that when teachers are asked to recommend a student for a specific task or project, in almost all occasions the first students that come to mind are the same ones you find in this organization. Students of high character who are willing to lead and ready to serve. Students who have passion that burns inside of them, always looking to stoke that flame with new knowledge, new skills, and new experience. Students who bleed blue and gold because Franklin is not just a school but their home.
It is no secret that to some the city of Franklin has a reputation, deserved or not. I myself have had situations where I’ve told people where I work and it is often followed by a “oh wow, that must be tough” or similar comment. The truth is I love working at Franklin High School because we have a community that truly cares for one another; a community that understands and respects tradition. But above all else I love working at Franklin High School because I get to work with extraordinary students such as all of you here. I want Franklin High School to be the best it can possibly be, and I know each of you do too.
For over a year now we have been impacted by Covid-19. We’ve lost a lot and I understand it is hard to feel excited about anything. Seniors, I know you have lost more than anyone, but I also know that you have the drive to come out of this even stronger and make an incredible impact wherever life takes you next. For the returning members and especially our five new inductees: I am posing a challenge for you tonight. As we prepare to wrap up this year, it will be on the students here tonight to help shape the future of our school. When we return in the fall for what I hope will be a more “traditional” year, I want each of you to return motivated to put your all into this community. Make homecoming the biggest and best it's ever been, make winter carnival the biggest and best it's ever been, fill the halls with smiles and laughter, and show the world what it means to be GOLDEN. I could not be prouder to point to each of you and say “those are my students.” Continue to make the world around you a little bit better every day, and never doubt just how far you can go when you commit to the journey. Congratulations to each of you and an early congratulations for all of the amazing accomplishments coming your way in the future!"