FARMINGTON — Forty-nine Foster Career and Technical Education Center students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society Wednesday, Feb. 27. The Foster CTE chapter of the NTHS is new this year and the students were recognized for being the first to earn the distinction.

Foster Career and Technical Education Center students recite a pledge Wednesday, Feb. 27 as they are inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Franklin Journal photo by Dee Menear

“I am so excited these students put themselves in a position to be inducted into this society,” said Melissa Williams, Foster CTE director. “All of our partner schools are represented by this group of students.”

Foster CTE serves students from Mt. Blue High School in Regional School District 9, Spruce Mountain High School in Regional School District 73, Mt. Abram High School in Maine School Administrative District 58 and Rangeley Lakes Regional School in Regional School District 78.

Williams also recognized the community and partner school administration for support of the program and its students.

“I would also like to recognize parents, family and friends of these students,” she added. “Without your support, we would not be here tonight to recognize their achievement.”

National Technical Honor Society inductee Isaac Tardif, at right, shakes hands Wednesday, Feb. 27 with Foster Career and Technical Education Center NTHS co-advisor Sean Minear. Also pictured from left are Foster CTE Director Melissa Williams, Assistant Director Todd Demmons, co-advisor Leilani Gordon and inductee Tucker Tardif. Franklin Journal photo by Dee Menear

Chapter co-advisors Leilani Gordon and Sean Minear applauded the educational and leadership successes of the inductees.

“These students have maintained above average grades in their sending schools, they have excelled at Foster Tech and they have demonstrated leadership skills in their programs and communities,” Gordon said.

NTHS began in 1984 as the National Vocational-Technical Honor Society, she added. To date, more than $2 million in scholarships have been awarded to NTHS members.

“In order to gain membership in the National Technical Honor Society, these students had to complete a rigorous application process,” Minear said. “These students had to dig deep to get here tonight and we celebrate them.”

He commended students for their commitment to community service. Examples, he said, included building drags for local snowmobile clubs and baking cookies for community events.

“The ultimate purpose is to celebrate student achievement,” Minear added.

Inductees received a certificate, membership card and tassel. Minear said cords would be presented to seniors in the spring.

Michaella Martin, at right, smiles Wednesday, Feb. 27 as she is inducted into the Foster Career and Technical Education Center chapter of the National Technical Honor Society. Also pictured from left are Foster CTE Director Melissa Williams, Assistant Director Todd Demmons and co-advisor Sean Minear. Franklin Journal photo by Dee Menear

As a group, they pledged to maintain the highest standard of personal conduct, continue a record of scholastic achievement and strive for excellence in all aspects of their education.

“I will invest my talents, my skills and my knowledge in a career of my own choosing, and shall always endeavor to uphold my obligations as a citizen of my community and my country,” they recited.

Inducted Wednesday were: Aliza Adams, Melissa Bamford, John Noah Bell, Chelsie Berkey, Camden Carmichael, Autumn Conklin, Jacelyn Daggett, Mariel Damon, Maya Dustin, Sam Ellis, Sierra Fay, Marleigh Gaboury, Hunter Gleason, Paige Gray, Alexys Greenman, James Guillaume, Molly Harris, Hunter Haynes, Tyson Hill, Katherine Holmes, Colin Hutchins, Annaset Jackson, Valerie Jackson, Hailey Kaminsky, Cassandra Landry, Bailey Levesque, Mackenzie Libby, Natalie Luce, Aaron MacDonald, Michaella Martin, Jackson Masterson, Breanna Maxim, Emily Pinkham, Lauren Pinkham, Alexandra Rackliffe, Braidie Reynolds, Isabelle Rogers, Pheobe Rogers, Hailey Rose, Chelsea Seabold, Caela Seeley, Logan Stevens, Justin Stewart, Isaac Tardif, Tucker Tardif, Emmett Trafton, Kim Webster and Avery Whitney.

dmenear@thefranklinjournal.com