national honor society

Sunday afternoon was "Super Sunday" at PHS, meaning alllllll the awards get given in various locations throughout the school. And lucky us, this year we got to be part of it, because Liam was inducted into the National Honor Society.

We are so proud of him! Not just for this particular achievement, although this is a big one and he didn't quite make the cut last year for his first year of eligibility. The committee cited a lack of leadership qualifications as the reason he didn't make it last year, so this year, between some community service efforts and serving as manager of the girls tennis team, he more than made up for it. And the other qualities they look for he has in spades: scholarship, service, and character.

In scholarship, this young man is a star. He has taken five AP classes this year alone, and he's been pushing to take five more next year. He really gets into everything he studies, and he's really dedicated to getting it done right. I often think it's maybe a disservice to the younger boys, because Liam just ... takes care of everything he needs to ... and since he's the first, I sort of naturally assume that the others will follow suit. But no, it turns out that Liam is pretty much the exception to the rule, at least in this way.

In service, Liam is the first one to step up and volunteer for anything. He's in the community service club at school, but he also volunteers whenever there's a need, from setting up and running parking at the Blueberry Festival to spending a morning every spring cleaning up the cemetery. 

And character? Get out of here. Liam has been all character, all the time since the day he was born. Yes, I know, they don't mean that kind of character. But he's got both kinds! And I for one can't wait to see how he uses that character (both kinds) out in the world.

So here's to our firstborn, our trailblazer, our Liam. Even if he did stand there during the whole ceremony alternating between making horrible faces and pretending to be asleep standing up ... all so we couldn't get a good picture. Don't think I didn't notice, Liam!