RUMFORD — Mountain Valley High School junior Josh Maillet was recently elected president of the Maine National Honor Society, which includes all high school chapters throughout Maine.

The state officers planned the annual convention and statewide service project.

Maillet began his candidacy at the NHS banquet by handing out packages of Smarties candy with the slogan, “When you fill out your ballot, vote Maillet.”

During the convention, Maillet delivered a speech on leadership to a packed house of his peers at Hauck Auditorium at the University of Maine.

He began, “As John Fitzgerald Kennedy said, ‘Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.’ As a leader in my school, I’ve learned that cooperation, collaboration and communication are key.”

Maillet recounted how he became a last-minute replacement in the fall play. He took the responsibility of the role and became a leader.

“Listening to those around you includes being a voice for the voiceless and for those who are not capable of standing up for themselves,” he said. “Along with being a voice, a leader must listen to the opinions around them.”

At the close of the convention, the current president, Angela Hallowell of Presque Isle High School, announced the slate of officers for 2015 to 2016. She started with regional representatives and eventually got to the president.

The tension grew until Maillet’s name was announced, naming him this year’s president of the Maine National Honor Society. The Mountain Valley High School section of the auditorium erupted in applause.

As his first action as president, he banged the gavel and announced, “The state convention is now adjourned.”

Academically, Maillet chose advanced placement and honors classes. In addition to participating in the National Honor Society, he is a member of the student council and Peer Helpers. He is also the vice president of the Class of 2016.

His goal is to become fluent in French and Spanish and to learn Portuguese, Italian and German, languages not offered at MVHS.