induction ceremony speech

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How Mike Love Wrecked the Beach Boys’ Hall of Fame Induction

The Beach Boys were center stage for the third annual the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 's induction ceremony, accepting some well-earned kudos. Most acceptance speeches are filled with colorful history, personal stories and insights. Singer  Mike Love 's was also unforgettable — but for entirely different reasons.

Love's cousin, bandmate and universally recognized Beach Boys genius  Brian Wilson  spoke first at the ceremony, held Jan. 20, 1988 in New York City. Wilson had only recently begun to get his life back in order following years of substance abuse and untreated mental illness. Sounding a bit unsteady and reading from a prepared speech, Wilson spoke of the respect he had for everyone in the room.

Meanwhile, Love awkwardly paced around him, from side to side, reading over his shoulder and interrupting. He grabbed and readjusted the microphone several times to make mindless quips, leaving Wilson increasingly frazzled.

When it came Love's turn to speak, he began quietly, almost bashfully, remembering when he and Wilson first started writing songs. He spoke of the Beach Boys' love for harmony, in music and in life.

But within a minute of that serene introduction, his speech took a turn when he started hurling a series of bombs at fellow musicians, beginning with a lament for Paul McCartney 's absence at the Beatles ' induction that evening, due to an ongoing lawsuit against Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono .

And from there it just steamrolled.

"The Beach Boys did about 180 performances last year," he said. "I'd like to see the Mop Tops match that! I'd like to see Mick Jagger get out on this stage and do 'I Get Around' versus 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' any day now. And I'd like to see some people kick out the jams, and I challenge the Boss to get up onstage and jam."

He wasn't done. "I wanna see Billy Joel , see if he can still tickle ivories," he said. "I know Mick Jagger won't be here tonight; he's gonna have to stay in England. But I'd like to see us in the Coliseum and he at Wembley Stadium because he's always been chickenshit to get onstage with the Beach Boys." (Jagger was actually at the induction ceremony that night.)

Ostensibly, Love was issuing a challenge, but he also later joked that he never got to the punchline. He went on to state the obvious. "I don't care what anybody in this room thinks," he said. "A lot of people are going to go out of this room thinking Mike Love is crazy."

Paul Shaffer, who was leading the house band that night, tried to play Love offstage at one point, but it didn't work. Meanwhile, the rest of the Beach Boys were steamed. "Carl Wilson came up to me afterward. He handed me his award and said, 'Our career is over,'" Shaffer recalled.

Watch Mike Love's Acceptance Speech

Later that evening, Bob Dylan famously responded to Love in his own induction speech, saying: "I want to thank Mike Love for not mentioning me. I play a lot of dates every year too. Peace, love and harmony is greatly important indeed, but so is forgiveness, and we gotta have that too."

But Love wasn't ready to forgive Wilson or his cousin's father Murry, the Beach Boys' first manager, for all the damage Love said he caused over the years. Despite Love's indignation about the lawsuits that prevented various artists from attending the ceremony, he had repeatedly sued and threatened to sue Wilson over royalties, copyrights and defamation. Love won some of these suits, and finally received $2 million in back royalties and writing credits for 35 songs that were initially attributed exclusively to Wilson, but remained the black sheep of the Beach Boys family.

"What did I do? Why am I the villain? How did it get to this?" he has asked his wife, according to a 2016 Rolling Stone article in which he also claimed many of the comments attributed to him over the years are false. He'd reportedly wondered aloud, "Who's gonna hear this shit? The ears of a dog?" during sessions for their classic 1966 album  Pet Sounds , then purportedly levied criticism that caused Wilson to shelve the  Smile  LP for decades.

"The fable is that I'm such an asshole, but a lot of that stuff is skewed by the crazies," Love said. "I never said half the shit that's attributed to me. I mean, I must be pretty prolific in asshole-type things to say, like, I get up in the morning thinking, 'I've got a job to do. How can I be a total jerk today?'"

Given ample opportunities to apologize for and explain his behavior at the Rock Hall induction over the years, Love opted not to, saying only that he had skipped his meditation session that morning – part of a twice-daily practice he's kept for more than 50 years, after first learning it directly from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. "It was so funny," he explained. "Someone said to me: 'Hey Mike. You're either meditating too much or not enough!'"

Love again joked about his meditation practice in 2016, pointing out that it's not safe for him to skip it. "I need to meditate," he said. "Well, let's put it this way: It's not good for me to miss meditation – and not good for others too."

Asked point blank whether he had regrets from that fateful ceremony, Love told Rolling Stone  the only thing he would have done differently was to mediate that morning. Just eight months later, however, he saw it differently.

Love showed the remorse that had been missing from his public comments since his Hall of Fame speech in a  talk on civility at Stamford's Ferguson Library.

"If I could take it back, I would," Love said to an audience of fans. "I’m just so grateful. I wish I would have been able to say all that in 1988. But all I can do is express my gratitude tonight and every day forward. ... Better late than never."

Rock's Most Dysfunctional Bands

Gallery Credit: Ed Rivadavia

More From Ultimate Classic Rock

National Honor Society Induction Ceremony Ideas

What is the junior national honor society.

Some high school experiences are so meaningful that they become precious lifelong memories. For many students, these unforgettable moments include carefully crafted ceremonies that mark induction into esteemed student organizations.

National Honor Society, or NHS, is a national organization for high school students that seeks to honor students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Students are eligible for induction into National Honor Society in 10th through 12th grade, which is done through a formal induction ceremony in the spring held by respective school chapters. The National NHS Council requires that induction ceremonies be appropriate and impressive.

Candle Lighting

During the ceremony, candles can be lit to highlight the four core values of National Honor Society. As each candle is lit, a current member of the school's chapter can read a definition of one of the values. Candles can be in different colors to represent each of the values or in school colors. Students can also light candles to represent the school and the national NHS council. Current NHS advisers can order special candle sets for this purpose from the NHS store. If the induction is being held in a school where open flame is not allowed, LED candles can be used.

Pin New Members

National Honor Society Chapters can purchase pins for students that bear the NHS torch logo. As new members are called to be inducted into the society, a current member can place the pin on their shirt, making them an official member of the society and providing them with a keepsake.

Recitation of Pledge

All new inductees of National Honor Society should recite the NHS pledge before being formally inducted into the school's chapter. The suggested pledge reads: "I (state name), being aware of the honor, which is being bestowed upon me by my selection for membership in the National Honor Society, do hereby pledge loyalty to this organization. It shall be my earnest purpose to give unsparingly of my time and energy toward the promotion of all school activities. I will strive to be at all times a model student, and will never knowingly bring reproach upon my school. I pledge myself to uphold the high purpose of this society for which I have been selected striving in every way by word and deed to make its ideals the ideals of my school and of my life." The pledge can be modified by the school chapter.

Gift to Parents

During the induction ceremony, take time to recognize the parents/guardians and other family members of the students with a small token of appreciation. The official flower of National Honor Society is a yellow rose which could be given to each of the families in attendance. Families could also be given a candle in blue or gold, the official colors of National Honor Society.

Poem Recitation

Poetry is always a good option for bringing a potent message and sense of solemnity to an induction ceremony. To make this component even more meaningful, a current National Honor Society member can write an original poem or read a poem that promotes the society's values. Some compelling poems to consider include "If" by Rudyard Kipling and "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.

Guest Speaker

Inviting a guest to deliver a speech that reflects the focus of National Honor Society is a powerful way to reinforce the values of the student organization while bringing attention to important people and organizations from the community. This could be a government official or the head of a local service organization. Listening to a guest speaker can encourage inductees as they see NHS values reflected in the real world and also inspire future service projects. At the end of the ceremony, donations could be taken to support the cause the speaker represents.

Presenting a slide show of pictures of the chapter's activities and service projects is an excellent way to build excitement among new inductees and honor the work the chapter has already completed. The slide show could also build community in the organization by highlighting current members and introducing new members with their photo and some background information such as current grade, interests, and aspirations.

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Stacy Zeiger began writing in 2000 for "Suburban News Publication" in Ohio and has expanded to teaching writing as an eighth grade English teacher. Zeiger completed creative writing course work at Miami University and holds a B.A. in English and a M.Ed. in secondary education from Ohio State.

Sample Induction Ceremony

• Welcome by an appropriate school official, to include the introduction of the Chapter Advisor and Faculty Advisory Council.
• A brief keynote address by the Chapter Advisor. The topic may be anything appropriate to the field of English and/or the installation of a national honor society.
• Installation of new chapter officers (by a visiting chapter president, the Chapter Advisor, or another appropriate person).
• Presentation of the charter to the chapter president (or advisor) by a visiting chapter president, visiting Chapter Advisor, or by the new Chapter Advisor. The following text is only a suggestion. It may be adapted to the needs of a particular school:

Visiting chapter official or new Chapter Advisor to the president of the new chapter: "On behalf of the National English Honor Society, I present this charter to the [chapter name] at [school name]. You, your members, and those who will follow, are charged to accept it in the words of our motto, 'Gelast sceal mid are,' which is Old English for 'Duty goes with honor.'

This charter carries with it a commitment to the mission of the founders of the Society: to promote mastery of written expression, encourage worthwhile reading, and foster fellowship among students who excel in English studies. You are further charged to share your gifts by service to society and by fostering literacy. Do you accept these charges?"

NEW CHAPTER PRESIDENT: "On behalf of the members of the [chapter name] of [school name], we accept this charter from the National English Honor Society. We dedicate our chapter to the goals of the Society and our fidelity to the legacy left to us by our founders."

Visiting chapter official or new Chapter Advisor : "Then welcome into the fellowship of the National English Honor Society; may you find yourself, this chapter, and this school always responsive to the mission of the Society: to confer national distinction upon secondary school students for high achievement in English language and literature, to provide, through local chapters, cultural stimulation in secondary school environments, to encourage interest in the English language arts, to promote exemplary character and good fellowship, and to serve society by fostering literacy."

• Induction of the charter members.
• Closing by Chapter Advisor or school official.
• Refreshments, if available.

Note: Although, during the ceremony, the charter is officially presented to the chapter president, the charter should be returned to the Chapter Advisor and kept in a prominent, secure place.

New Member Induction Ceremonies New members appreciate formal recognition for their accomplishments. This ritual may be adapted to fit a particular school and specific setting; many schools will find such particularizing (by including favorite and meaningful literary references), both an appropriate and meaningful endeavor.

Sample Induction Ceremony The Central Office highly recommends that membership certificates be distributed at the time of induction; these need to be ordered at least three weeks prior to the date set for the induction. National English Honor Society pins, royal blue and gold ribbons, and white carnations are also recommended.

When the facility has been selected and reserved, seating should be arranged in two sections, one for members, and one for non-members (including inductees and their guests).

The treasurer or secretary should have the certificates, pins, royal blue-and-gold recognition ribbons, and/or white carnations, for each inductee. These, the official membership book, and a pen, should be on a small table in front of the meeting room. The vice president should have a list of names of all inductees. The officers should be seated at a table, or on chairs, in the front of the assembly, but behind or next to the table containing the membership materials.

PRESIDENT: (standing) "The meeting of the [chapter name] of the National English Honor Society is called to order. (pause) Have we any new business before us?"

TREASURER: (standing)"We have."

PRESIDENT: "The chapter treasurer, [name], is recognized."

TREASURER : "M_ President, I have the honor of bringing forth, before you and this membership, [number of candidates] candidates seeking membership in the [chapter name] of the National English Honor Society."

PRESIDENT : "You may present the candidates."

VICE PRESIDENT: "When I call your name, please come forward to be recognized." The vice president reads the names as they have been sent to the Central Office, and after each name, the category of membership sought (active or honorary).

"Candidates, upon careful examination of your academic accomplishments in the field of English, in recognition of what you have already done, and in hopeful anticipation of what you will continue to do, I present you to this assembly, to our Chapter Advisor(s), and to our chapter officers."

PRESIDENT: (to Treasurer) "M__ Treasurer, have these candidates satisfied all of the requirements for membership?"

TREASURER: "Each has satisfied all chapter requirements for membership."

PRESIDENT: (to Secretary) "M__ Secretary, are their membership documents in order?"

SECRETARY: "Each has membership documents in order."

PRESIDENT: "Candidates, having been presented by the vice president, verified by the treasurer and secretary, and approved by the general membership, you may now take upon yourselves the honors and obligations of membership in the [chapter name] of the National English Honor Society. If you are ready to do so, answer, 'I am ready for membership.'"

CANDIDATES: (in unison) "I am ready for membership."

Treasurer and secretary move to position themselves by the small table holding the membership book, the certificates/pins, and ribbons/carnations. Initiates will move from one part of the stage to the other, where as a group they remain standing, facing the audience.

PRESIDENT: " Only persons of high scholarship in English are admitted to our fellowship. We join with others from across the country in celebration of all the fields of English and in acknowledging that a life in which literature and good writing are a significant part, is a life worth living. To accept membership into the [chapter name] of the National English Honor Society, you must say your name as you sign the permanent roll of this chapter, adding your name to the company of colleagues who have preceded you. It is the first part of your ongoing legacy to the officers and members who shall follow in years to come."

Here the ritual will vary, depending upon the chapters and the schools.

The candidate signs the membership book and says his/her name aloud. If certificates are available, then:

PRESIDENT:" [Candidate name] accept this certificate of membership. It is your outward symbol of membership, not only now, but also in years to come. (Hands a certificate to each new member.)

CANDIDATE: " Thank you"

If pins are available, then:

TREASURER: " Take this pin into your safe keeping. It is your outward symbol of membership, not only now, but in the years to come. As a token of new membership, and as a recognition to others in this fellowship, I charge you to wear it daily for the next week. (Hands a pin to each new member.) The pin displays the emblem of our Society.

CANDIDATE: "Thank you."

If ribbons are available, then:

VICE-PRESIDENT: "Take this ribbon into your safe keeping. It is your outward symbol of membership, not only now, but in the years to come. As a token of new membership, and as a recognition to others in this fellowship, I charge you to wear it daily for the next week. (Hand a set of ribbons to each new member.) These royal blue and gold ribbons display the colors of our Society. The royal blue has long been associated with creativity and inspiration and the gold represents excellence and nobility of spirit."

If white carnations are available, then:

SECRETARY: "Take this flower into your safe keeping. It is your outward symbol of membership, not only now, but in the years to come. White carnations are, historically, symbols of distinction and truth." (Hands a flower to each new member.)

When all the initiates have received their materials, the president addresses them:

PRESIDENT: "I now declare you to be members in full standing in the [chapter name] of the National English Honor Society. We welcome you into the fellowship of this chapter and to the larger fellowship of members throughout the country. (Turns to audience) Will everyone please join me in welcoming our new members?" (Applause)

The new members then take seats among the other members of the chapter.

PRESIDENT: "Will all members, new and old, please stand. As our new members affirm their membership for the first time, let all the members join them, thus reinforcing our own commitment. Everyone, please repeat after me: As a member of the National English Honor Society, / I shall endeavor to advance the study / of all areas of English / and to foster a spirit of fellowship / among students excelling / in all facets of the English Language Arts, / ever keeping in mind our national motto, / as our guiding principle / ''Gelast sceal mid are' / 'Duty goes with honor.'"

Members are then seated. The Chapter Advisor or chapter president may wish to explain the Society emblem (see Section 1), a copy of which appears on the membership certificates and on Society pins.

OFFICER or ADVISOR: "As we prepare to draw this ceremony to a close. . . . " (Here there may be final words, an invitation to share in refreshments, and any other part of the ceremony the chapter has prepared--in keeping with individual school policy and tradition. The meeting should then be adjourned in the normal manner.)

Alternative or additional materials that may be inserted into, or substituted for, parts of the induction ceremony. The following selections may be appointed for reading by any of the officers, the Chapter Advisor, or visiting official(s):

"Being honored for your work in language studies, whether in literary examination or fine writing, goes hand in hand with a responsibility to use one's abilities to shape a better world, to help others, to turn being honored into honoring a future rich with possibilities and a world laden with potential. Our national motto, 'Gelast sceal mid are,' was purposely selected in part because it represents one of the earliest forms of the language we celebrate, and in even greater part because its meaning—duty goes with honor — represents the high calling to which each of us must respond. Just as being honored empowers us, so we empower others. Membership in the National English Honor Society implies that we accept the responsibility of sharing the best of language and literature with others. There is no fixed way of doing this; each must find a way to share and to foster the rich use and enjoyment of our language."

"Henry David Thoreau once said, 'It takes two to speak the truth — one to speak, and another to listen.' As members of the National English Honor Society you understand the importance of communication, the value of listening, and the significance of expression. You have proven yourselves capable of serious study of the English language and of pursuing the truth in works of literature or in your own creative expressions of poetry or prose. Being a member of this organization, and of the English community as a whole, requires that you continue these efforts and prepare yourselves to take into the world the truths you have found here, sharing with others your joy and appreciation of our discipline. Truth cannot exist in a vacuum and, like art, it must be shared to be understood."

"William Shakespeare, in his play  Henry V , wrote: 'As many arrows, loosed several ways Come to one mark; as many ways meet in one town; As many fresh streams meet in one salt sea . . . So may a thousand actions, once afoot, End in one purpose, and be all well borne Without defeat.'

We are like those many arrows, each coming from a different source, each with unique talents and varied interests; but as members of the National English Honor Society we all promise to support one another and to focus our energies on the Society's goals. We follow the design laid out before us, assured that our strength of intent and clarity of purpose will assist us in our aims."

A possible end of the ceremony: "New members, in honor of your accomplishments and in anticipation of your bright future, I end this ceremony with these words by Emily Dickinson. Please commit them to yourself as you grow in our Society, in our community, and in our mutual dedication to a life of letters:

We never know how high we are Til we are called to rise And then, if we are true to plan Our statures touch the skies

Congratulations to you all. Our ceremony is concluded."

Chapter Officer Installation Ceremonies New officers should be installed with an appropriate ceremony to impress upon them the seriousness of their undertaking. With the exception of the chapter's very first installation of officers, when none precede them, this ceremony should take place when the outgoing officers will be present to pass on either a literal or metaphoric legacy to their successors. At the initial installation of officers, or if outgoing officers are not available, the Chapter Advisor may perform the duties of the outgoing officers.

Sample Chapter Officer Installation Ceremony The outgoing officers should be seated at a long table or row of chairs in the front of the membership. The new officers sit among the society members.

PRESIDENT: (standing throughout the ceremony and addressing the membership) The president may briefly summarize the most important accomplishments of his/her tenure in office and give good counsel for the coming year. The President then continues:

"We are now ready to install our officers for the coming year. Each officer has important duties; and each is, in his/her own sphere, responsible for the chapter's success." (Pause) "We first give charge to the office of the treasurer."

TREASURER: (stands) "Will [new treasurer's name] come forward."

The new treasurer comes forward and stands before the outgoing treasurer.

"My fellow member, the office of treasurer is an important one, for you must accept the responsibility of receiving, recording, and distributing funds. It will be your duty to keep an accurate record of all monies paid into the chapter treasury. Working with our Chapter Advisor, you will pay all bills promptly so that the chapter maintains a reputation for honesty and efficiency. You will, at all times, be prepared to furnish information concerning the financial condition of the chapter. Are you ready to assume the duties for your office?"

NEW TREASURER: "I am."

TREASURER: "Then, as an emblem of your office, take this record of our finances into your safe keeping. Guard it well as part of your ongoing legacy to the officers and members who shall follow in years to come."

The new treasurer accepts the record of finances and takes a seat in front of the membership, and the outgoing treasurer sits with the membership.

PRESIDENT: "We shall now give the charge to the secretary."

SECRETARY: (stands) "Will [new secretary's name] come forward."

The new secretary comes forward and stands before the outgoing secretary.

SECRETARY: "My fellow member, it will be your duty to keep an accurate record of all meetings of the chapter and, working with the vice president, to keep the membership record accurate and up to date. Working with our Chapter Advisor, you will be responsible for notifying members of meetings and keeping them informed of other chapter events. You will also be responsible for all communication between the chapter and the school, other chapters, and any other persons. Are you ready to assume the duties of your office?"

NEW SECRETARY: "I am."

SECRETERY: "Then, as an emblem of your office, take this secretary's book into your safe keeping. Guard it well as part of your ongoing legacy to the officers and members who shall follow in years to come."

The new secretary accepts the book and takes a seat in front of the membership, and the outgoing secretary sits with the membership.

PRESIDENT: "We shall now give the charge to the vice president."

VICE PRESIDENT: (stands) "Will [new vice president's name] come forward."

The new vice president comes forward and stands before the outgoing vice president.

VICE PRESIDENT: "My fellow member, it will be your duty to perform all of the duties of the president in his/her absence and to cooperate with him/her to promote the chapter's interests. It is also your duty to prepare and instruct inductees for the induction ceremony, and to serve, with the Chapter Advisor, as program co-chair. Working with the treasurer, you are to maintain accurate membership records for the chapter. Are you ready to assume the duties of your office?"

NEW VICE PRESIDENT: "I am."

VICE PRESIDENT: "Then, as an emblem of your office, take this membership book into your safe keeping. Guard it well as part of your ongoing legacy to the officers and members who shall follow in years to come."

The new vice president accepts the book and takes a seat in front of the membership, and the outgoing vice president sits with the membership.

PRESIDENT: "I will now give the charge to the president. Will [name of the new president] come forward."

The new president comes forward and stands before the officiating president.

PRESIDENT: "It will be your duty to preside at all chapter meetings, to fill, with the advice of the Chapter Advisor, all appointive offices, appoint all committees, order drafts on the treasury, and exercise general supervision over the chapter's activities. Are you ready to assume the duties of your office?"

NEW PRESIDENT: "I am."

PRESIDENT: "Then, as an emblem of your office, take this gavel into your safe keeping. Use it well to guide those whom you both lead and serve. Guard it well as part of your ongoing legacy to the officers and members who shall follow in years to come."

The new president accepts the gavel and remains standing in front of the membership, while the outgoing president sits with the membership.

NEW PRESIDENT: "Officers rise."

All of the new officers stand.

CHAPTER ADVISOR: (facing the new officers): "You have been duly elected to your office in accordance with the uniform Bylaws of the [chapter name] of the National English Honor Society. I now have the honor to act as its representative and to induct you as Executive Committee members. Will you, therefore, repeat after me as you affirm the election to your office?" (pause)

"I accept the office / to which I have been elected, / and promise to carry out my duties / to the best of my ability / and to abide by and support / the bylaws of this chapter. / In the execution of my duties, / the guiding principle shall always be / gelast sceal mid are / Duty goes with honor."

NEW PRESIDENT: (addressing the audience): "Let us welcome the new officers." (leads applause) "Let me ask last year's officers to stand once more as we recognize them for their leadership this past year." (leads applause)

"Everyone, please be seated" (president remains standing). The President may give a short speech of his / her plans and hopes for the coming year. The meeting will adjourn in the usual manner.

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Induction Ceremonies

Plan an induction ceremony to recognize the newest members of your chapter’s Honor Society! 

When students join the National Speech & Debate Association, they become members of our Honor Society and are held to the highest standards of humility, equity, integrity, leadership, respect, and service. Induction ceremonies are a great way to celebrate new members of your team as they build their confidence, tap into their creativity, collaborate with teammates, improve their communication, and increase their critical thinking skills.

Spread the Word

Free Honor Society induction invitations are available for members! Order yours from the NSDA Store using code Freeinvites at checkout.

Prep Materials

Save time with templates! Our program template makes it easy to highlight new members, sponsors, and team leaders and our four page editable script can be adapted to fit your needs. It outlines the basics of the ceremony and can help you plan to share a bit of your program’s history.

Decorate Your Venue

To make things more personal to your team, consider tapping a student to use our template to create NSDA themed posters for each of the new inductees sharing why participating in speech and debate matters to them. 

While students may pledge to uphold the Code of Honor as part of your ceremony, you could also create a visual display by asking each member to sign their name on a We Honor the Code banner or displaying a printed printed Code of Honor at your venue. 

New Inductee Membership Materials

Consider presenting your new inductees with a symbol of their membership! When an advisor pays for a student’s membership, they receive a personalized certificate and new seals to affix as they progress through different levels in the Honor Society. Heighten the pomp and circumstance at your ceremony by presenting students with their certificate or distributing honor cords to new members! Honor cords recognize member accomplishments and affirm their commitment to speech and debate education. They can be worn at induction ceremonies and, depending on school policies, graduation ceremonies. 

If you hold your ceremony in the spring, you may also opt to recognize graduating seniors with honor cords , graduate pins , or degree pins marking their achievement. 

Read LaDainian Tomlinson’s Stirring Hall of Fame Speech: ‘My Story Is America’s Story’

L aDainian Tomlinson, former NFL running back for the San Diego Chargers and New York Jets, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 5, 2017. During his acceptance speech, he detailed his career — from a weight set his mother bought him, to attending Emmitt Smith’s football camp before his teens, to his time at Texas Christian University and his success in the NFL. He thanks his family, God, his idols, his teammates and his coaches. Often, this is where these speeches end. But in his conclusion, Tomlinson pushed further and finished with a message that has received praise in the days that have followed. He told the story about how his great great great grandfather arrived in America on a slave ship and how that cruelty led him and his family to where they are, and he explained the lessons he hopes Americans can learn from his story and those like it.

Good evening. It’s a privilege to be here tonight, to share my honor and story with you. Football has given me so much. On this day it is truly humbling to share it with you. To the TCU fans, San Diego fans… thank you for your love and support. Jet fans and all fans, your cheers inspire me to always dig deeper, and run harder. At the same time you inspired me, I hope I inspired you with the passion I play with. This great honor provides me the opportunity to acknowledge and express my gratitude first to God, my dear family, and all who have inspired me, supported my dreams, taught and trained me. Without all of you and the hundreds of others, I won’t have a chance to mention, I wouldn’t have been able to fulfill my vision of playing in the National Football League. All the men on this stage who played this great game understands our responsibility extends beyond the football field. We don’t merely represent ourselves, we represent the game, our team, our community. To play in the NFL is an honor, a privilege, not simply a right. I grew up watching, idolizing and dreaming about running the football like the legendary Jim Brown, the late Walter Payton and the all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith. Today, I stand on the shoulders of these great men, and with all of you on this stage tonight. Before speaking about those who supported and guided me, the principle reason is God, who gave me my ability, my purpose. I’ve had a very personal relationship with God. There are so many examples in my life where I envision something before it happened or knew the experience I was about to have would change my life and knew this insight came from God. For example, at six, I actually told my mother I was going to play in the NFL. At seven, I asked her to buy me a weight set because I needed to get bigger if I was gonna make it to the NFL and that next Christmas, one was sitting under our tree. Twelve, I knew the youth football camp I signed up for would change my life. At 14, my pastor offered me a prophecy that said, if I continue to honor him, God would take me places I could never imagine. Something I never imagined, standing on this stage in Canton, Ohio. God gives all the ability to envision and achieve our destiny. My blessing was knowing this at an early age and recognizing it came from him. In the small town of Marlin, Texas where my family is originally from, high school football was our NFL. As an 8 year old I fell in love with football because my older cousin Broderick Lowe was a high school football wide receiver. I sat on the fence outside the field watching him. Broderick, not only were you my inspiration, but a father figure throughout my life. People ask me, who do you get your worth ethic from? It was my mom. I was motivated to work hard by watching her constantly confronting and conquering life’s challenges. Seeing her get up early, go to work, come home late, work two jobs, making sure we were clothed and fed. That’s what I saw, never a complaint. Mom, thank you for your love, honestly, strength, and belief in me. You taught me to listen to others, and treat everyone with respect. It was my mom’s sacrifice that led me to my first meeting with one of my football idols. When I was 12 and seriously lacking any self-confidence as an athlete, I spotted a flyer at the Boys and Girls Club. It had Emmitt Smith’s picture on it. I thought it was Emmitt’s football camp, actually it was the great Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek’s camp and Emmitt and other great Cowboys were scheduled to attend. I rushed home and said mom, Emmitt Smith is having a football camp, I have to go. She looked at the flyer and replied, that’s too much money baby, I don’t know if we can make that happen. A couple of months later mom called me into the room and said, Remember that Jay Novacek camp you wanted to go to? I said yes ma’am. She continued, well I saved the money and you’ll be able to go. Wow. That’s where I first saw Michel Irving, Emmitt, Jay, Darrell Johnson, and other Cowboys’ greats. I vividly remember the first practice. We were learning a hand-off drill and I lined up with all the other running backs. Emmitt suddenly jumps in the line and hands the ball off to me. Then later that evening I was heading upstairs to dinner when Emmitt was coming downstairs and literally ran me over. I began to fall, but he held me up and asked, are you alright kid? I answered, yeah I’m fine, but the truth was, I wasn’t. I was awestruck because of two astonishing moments with my idol, a 12-year-old kid lacking self-confidence as an athlete, left on top of the world feeling he could truly fulfill his dream to play in the National Football League. I began my high school football career playing in Marlin, playing varsity as a freshman. When I was a sophomore we moved back to Waco. The first thing I did was visit my new school to meet the head football coach LeRoy Coleman. I thought I was the best thing since sliced bread. So when he asked me, what position do you play, I answered proudly with my chest puffed out, I play running back and outside linebacker. He looked at me and replied, no you don’t. We have enough running backs, you’re going to play fullback. That was an important lesson to be selfless. I played fullback and outside linebacker for the next two years. Thank you to all my teachers, coaches, teammates and classmates at Weco University High, including my running backs coach Walter Brown who was another father figure in my life and helped prepare me for college at TCU. Thank you. At TCU I began as an 18-year-old teenager and left a young man. What made TCU so special was that it provided academic rigor with combined Christian values and family values. My college career got off to a really rough start, the team won just one game and the coach who recruited me was released. I first thought I should transfer, but when I shared this with my mother she said, don’t quit on your teammates, be part of the solution, be part of the change. Anything worth having, is worth fighting for. Another life lesson. I stayed, and the new coaching staff lead by head coach Dennis Franchione and defensive coordinator GaryPatterson, now head coach of the Horn dogs, led us to 3 straight bowl games. To my teammates at TCU, you were my teammates on the field, in the locker room, and are my teammates for life. Those of you who are here today, I would like you to stand for a second. Thank you guys. Thank you to the Spanos family. Dean, your family gave me my first opportunity in the NFL and now as your special assistant, my most recent. My friendship with you, Susie, John, and AG is one of the most important in my life. When I got to the NFL, it seemed all I worked for and dreamed about for 15 years had come true. And I was so focused and determined to succeed and excel, almost to a fault. Initially, all I did was practice, study and train to be the best football player I can be. I spent 9 years with the San Diego Chargers . Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer was the best coach I ever had as we won 5 division titles. Marty, will you and your wife Pat please stand to be acknowledged. I was honored to play alongside many outstanding players, like the late Junior Saya, Drew Brees, Rodney Harrison, Kurtis Conway, Terrell Fletcher, Doug Flutie, and my first fullback Fred McCrery. After Fred’s departure from the Chargers, my presenter tonight Lorenzo Neil became out fullback. A selfless player always clearing the way so others could shine. He taught me what it meant to be a teammate. I had a special bond with our offensive line during the run we had in 2006. Much of my success was due to their commitment and sacrifice. Would all my Charger teammates please stand. Love you guys, thank you. Now to the Jets. Woody Johnson you gave me the opportunity to play two more years and they were two of the most meaningful of my career and gave me the opportunity to come full circle to mentor some of the young talented athletes coming into the organization just as so many great Charger champions had mentored me. Would all my former teammates and team staff members please stand to be recognized. Come on get up you guys deserve it. You guys deserve it. Thank you to the scores of trainers, physical therapists and medical teams that were integral to my football career. I was fortunate to play 11 years and never underwent one surgery due in part to the team of therapists who worked with me. Alex Guerrero, thank you. A special thanks to Todd Durkin, my personal trainer. Your passion in training challenged me to achieve my full potential. In 2012 I joined the NFL Network, you’ve been amazing during my transition from playing the game to analyzing the game. Earlier I shared the important influence TCU had on my life, but most importantly, if it wasn’t for TCU I wouldn’t have met my beautiful bride Torsha. She came to the University as a freshman and we fell in love. During my first two seasons in San Diego, Torsha continued at TCU. She has always known my heart and has had the confidence, integrity and maturity to both be patient with me to speak directly when necessary. We knew we were destined to be husband and wife. Once we married, she moved and completed her education at the University of California, San Diego. I soon realized I had dual commitments. One was to be the best football player I could be. The other was learning to be there for my wife as she was always there for me. Her love and commitment were already there when I began my career with the Chargers. She is my Queen. We have been together for 17 years, virtually half our lives and together we’re raising amazing children. Our beautiful son and daughter, Daylen and Dayah. Daylen and Dayah, our love for you in infinite. You inspire me every day to be the best dad, the best man I can be. As my father told me, I give you a good name. You represent the next generation of this great name. Respect it and be proud to share it. Torsha’s parents, Robert and Tory, are truly a God-sent. Throughout my career they were there to ease my burdens. You’re still intimately involved in our lives, as is my mother, as grandparents and residents, I cannot imagine my life without you. I have a birth brother and sister, LaVar and Londria Tomlinson and a half-sister Felicia as well as three half-brothers Terry and his wonderful wife Sharon, Charles and the late Ronald McClain. Thank you for a lifetime of love and support. To all my family, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, cousins and those I haven’t mentioned, thank you for your love and support. To my late father, Oliver Tomlinson for supporting his entire family, he has such a big heart. Everyone who knew him talked about how much he always gave to everyone. No question, I inherited his heart. I also want to acknowledge my late stepfather, Herman Chappell who came into my life when I was 9. A hard worker and great provider. Thank you for bringing Herman Jr, Michael, Lonnie and my niece Stephanie into my life. Thank you for your love, guys. Earlier I spoke about had God has placed people in my life at critical moments, here are a few more… Rose and Emmitt Hughes, you aren’t just a part of my family, you are my family period. Clarence Shelmon, my Chargers running back coach, you taught me how to wear the mantel of professionalism. And lastly, two people very important to my family, our CPA and financial advisor, John Palguta and our personal family assistant Mark Almato. Both of you play a huge part in the success of our lives personally and professionally. If this was my last day on earth, and this my final speech, this is the message I’ll leave with you. The story of a man I never met, my great great great grandfather George. One-hundred-and-seventy years ago, George was brought here in chains on a slave ship from west Africa. His last name Tomlinson was given to him by the man who owned him. Tomlinson was the slave owner’s last name. What extraordinary courage it must have taken for him to rebuild his life after the life he was born to was stolen. How did he reclaim his identity, his dignity, when he had to freedom to choose for himself? I grew up on the land of a former slave plantation, and although I didn’t know this as a child, it’s where my great great great grandfather tilled the soil. A few years ago, I visited that same plantation in central Texas with my family and stood in the slave quarters where he lived. It’s now named Tomlinson Hill. My name began with the man who owned my great great great grandfather, now it’s proudly carried by me, my children, my extended family. People stop me on the street because they know me as LT the football player, but after football, people have begun to recognize me as LaDainian Tomlinson. Not simply for what I did as a football player, but for who I am as a man. The family legacy that began in such a cruel way, has given birth to generations of successful, caring Tomlinsons. I firmly believe that God chose me to help bring two races together under one last name, Tomlinson. I’m a mixed race, and I represent America. My story is America’s story. All our ancestors, unless we’re American Indian, came from a different country, another culture. Football is a microcosm of America. All races, religions and creeds living, playing, competing side by side. When you’re a part of a team, you understand your teammates. Their strengths and weaknesses and work together towards the same goal to win a championship. In this context, I advocate we become Team America. In sports, were evaluated on our desire, ability and given a chance to compete. America is the land of opportunity. Let’s not slam the doors on those who may look or sound different from us. Rather, lets open it wide for those who believe in themselves that anything is possible and willing to compete and take whatever risk necessary to work hard to succeed. I’m being inducted into the Hall of Fame because my athletic ability created an opportunity for me to excel in the sport I love. When we open the door for others to compete, we fulfill the promise of “one Nation under God with liberty and justice for all. On America’s team, let’s not choose to be against one another. Let’s choose to be for one another. My great great great grandfather had no choice, we have on. I pray to dedicate ourselves to be the best team we can be, working and living together, representing the highest ideals of mankind. Leading the way for all nations to follow. One of the most eloquent orators of our time said it best in his farewell address. Paraphrasing and humbly building upon what President Obama said, we all have to try harder, show up, dive in and stay at it. I am asking you to believe in your ability to bring about change to hold fast to faith and the idea whispered by slaves, yes we can. Thank you very much. Thank you for this honor. God bless you.

Watch Tomlinson’s speech here .

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Pro Football Hall of Fame releases speech order for 2020, '21 induction classes

Nineteen inductees will deliver speeches over a two-day span.

Over a two-day period, 19 inductees will deliver speeches as the Pro Football Hall of Fame honors the members of its 2020 and 2021 classes. Because of the volume of inductees, each speaker has received a six-minute limit for their speech. An "Academy Awards-style" musical cue will be used, if necessary, if a speech reaches the eight-minute mark. 

Below is the order for the 12 inductees of the Centennial Class who will deliver a speech on Saturday, August 7 in Canton, Ohio. The ceremony is slated to start at 6:30 p.m. There will be video tributes for the eight members of the Centennial Class that were elected posthumously: Bobby Dillon,   Winston Hill,   Alex Karras, Steve Sabol, Duke Slater, Mac Speedie, Ed Sprinkly and George Young. 

 1. Troy Polamalu 

  2. Cliff Harris 

  3. Steve Atwater 

  4. Paul Tagliabue 

  5. Steve Hutchinson 

  6. Donnie Shell 

  7. Isaac Bruce

  8. Jimbo Covert 

  9. Edgerrin James

10. Harold Carmichael 

11. Jimmy Johnson 

12. Bill Cowher 

This will be the order for speeches that will be conducted as part of the 2021 induction ceremony, which will begin at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 8. A video tribute will be presented for Bill Nunn, who received induction as a contributor. 

1. Drew Pearson

2. Tom Flores

3. Peyton Manning

4. John Lynch

5. Calvin Johnson

6. Alan Faneca

7. Charles Woodson  

This year's Hall of Fame festivities will begin with the Hall of Fame Game, which will be played between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, August 5 at 8 p.m. The game will be played inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, which has hosted each Hall of Fame Game since 1962. 

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Inducting students into the International Thespian Society this spring? Plan ahead and induct early, following instructions here .

Induction Ceremonies

Thespian induction ceremonies.

There are three versions of the Thespian induction ceremony that vary in complexity, length, and formality. The fourth ceremony is for Junior Thespians. Below are the basic outlines and speeches for the different induction ceremonies.

This brief ceremony is the suggested minimum for the induction of new members. All of the ceremony models may be freely adapted with elements from the other versions. Before the ceremony:

• Induct students following the procedures provided in the appropriate troupe handbook.
• Notify the students (in writing) of the plans for the induction ceremony.

A. Introduce the proceedings with a short history of the organization. “It is my pleasure to welcome you here to share in the induction of ___ new members into ___________(school name), Troupe No. ___________ of the International Thespian Society. Through their work in theatre, the candidates have earned the right to become members of the International Thespian Society. “The Society was established in 1929. The organization is named for Thespis, the ancient Greek who, according to legend, stepped out from the chorus and became the first actor. The Society’s guiding principle is a dedication to excellence in educational theatre. The International Thespian Society honors those students who do theatre well.” B. Read the accomplishments of each student and hand each student his or her membership card, certificate, and Thespian induction pin. If time and circumstances allow: C. Review the season. D. Have the new members stand and say the pledge. “I now ask all new members of Thespian Troupe ____ to stand and say the pledge with me (or “repeat after me”). “I promise to uphold / the aims and ideals of the International Thespian Society. / I am a student of theatre and excellence is my ideal. / I promise to perform my part as well as I can; / to accept praise and criticism with grace; / to cooperate with my fellow Thespians / and work for the good of the troupe; / and to share my love of theatre. “Congratulations and welcome to the International Thespian Society. Always remember our motto, which comes from Alexander Pope’s ‘Essay on Man’: ‘Act well your part; there all the honor lies.’” (If time does not permit the recitation of the pledge at the induction of the new members, that should be done at the first troupe meeting after the induction.) E. If the induction of the members is part of an awards ceremony, conferring letters, stars, bars, Honor Thespian ranks, and awards can follow. F. In spring, if the officers for the coming year have been elected, an introduction of the new officers may take place at this time (see language in the Standard Membership Induction Ceremony, which follows.)

This text should be considered a model that can be adapted to suit the troupe director’s circumstances. All of the ceremony models may be freely adapted with elements from the other versions. Before the ceremony:

• Have the membership roll at the ceremony and have the charter on display.
• Divide the speeches among the officers of the troupe. (They may either memorize or read the speeches.)

A. Welcome the guests; introduce special guests or representatives. B. Introduce the officers of the troupe. C. Introduce the proceedings with a short history of the organization. “Friends, it is a pleasure to welcome you here to share in the induction of ___ members into ___________(school name)’s Troupe No. ____ of the International Thespian Society. Through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication, the candidates have earned the right to be called Thespians. It is a title of honor, signifying a commitment to an art as old as humanity. “Commitment to theatre is what the International Thespian Society is all about. The Society was established in 1929 by a group of college and high school teachers in Fairmont, West Virginia. They named their organization for Thespis, the Greek who, according to legend, was the first actor; their guiding principle was a dedication to excellence in theatre arts in secondary schools. In the ___ years since, the Society has grown into an international organization with more than 2.2 million members, but its goals haven’t changed; the International Thespian Society still strives to make education and arts programs places for good theatre and to honor those students who do theatre well. The Society is a service as well as an honorary organization. “We join here for a rite of renewal and celebration.” D. Introduce and read from the speech delivered by playwright Robert Patrick at the Thespian Society’s fiftieth anniversary celebration during the 1978 Thespian Festival. “For 20,000 years we humans have had what we called ‘impossible’ dreams: space travel; time travel; telepathy; to live other lives; to raise the dead; to create living creatures; to live forever; eternal youth; unity with our fellow humans. “Philosophers and spiritualists have used magic, alchemy, intellect, voodoo, and physics in quest of these goals. Some have been attained by science. Some still evade us. Some, even science calls ‘impossible.’ “And yet for all these thousands of years, we have already possessed those treasures, whenever there was an empty space, a poet, actors and an audience: in theatre. “Space travel? The bare stage behind me, with a few words and a pantomimist’s skill, becomes the surface of the moon or the center of the Earth. On this stage we can be in Arabia or Iceland, Okinawa, Elsinore, Brigadoon, Oklahoma, the South Pacific, or Our Town. “Time travel? On any evening, afternoon, or early morning we can return to ancient Egypt, classical Greece, imperial Rome, Elizabethan England, the France of Joan of Arc, California in the gold rush—or in one play travel from Cairo to Paris to Istanbul to Washington, D.C. “Raise the dead? In any or all of these times or places, people live again: Sir Thomas More, Henry David Thoreau, Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, Elizabeth herself—plus a million casual strangers some playwright met and liked or despised or wondered about centuries ago. “But we do not merely watch these people, uncomprehending, as tourists. At those moments when real living people would stand stuttering, stammering, or trembling with illiterate rage, these fascinating people open their mouths and speak their thoughts aloud: Hamlet comes on and in ten words speaks the tormenting choice that underlies the ecstasies and agonies of every adolescent. Frankie Adams articulates the confusions and discoveries that mark the end of childhood; King Lear screams the anger of old age; and Eliza Doolittle, happily awake in bed, peeks from under the covers and confides in us that she could have danced all night! “But excuse me—there never was a Hamlet, a Frankie Adams, a king called Lear, nor an Eliza Doolittle. …And yet they have appeared alive and joyous in literally thousands of places. Simultaneously on a hundred stages at once around the world, these absolute hallucinations recur! We have seen the creation of life so often we have forgotten it is a miracle. “Telepathy? It’s telepathic travel in the minds of geniuses through ancient and imaginary lives of forefathers and phantoms for all eternity; what are the scientists and the statesmen troubling themselves for? Aren’t they sitting there in the dark beside us as we all, side by side, rank on rank—people who might not even be willing to talk to one another outside the theatre—laugh together and gasp together, and are not even ashamed to cry because we can hear that others in the dark around us are crying? Isn’t it another kind of mindreading, a growing together of spirits that makes 2,000 people laugh simultaneously at the silliest slapstick joke? “These incredible treasures are everywhere—everywhere that there is an empty space, a poet, actors, and an audience. When they ask you, ‘What is theatre for?’ simply tell them: ‘It does what every other field of human endeavor is struggling to do.’” E. Tell about Thespis and the Society. “During the sixth century B.C., one of the writers of tragedy who won the approval of the priests at the Festival of Dionysus was Thespis. About 535 B.C. a new dimension was added to drama when Thespis, a prominent leader of the chorus, stepped from that group and recited portions of the drama alone, thereby becoming the first actor. We also believe that it was he who first used masks so that a person could portray more than one part. “In honor of this early Greek playwright, all actors are called Thespians. In his honor we are the International Thespian Society. We have as our emblem the two masks of comedy and tragedy etched in colors of gold and blue bound together with the Thespian ‘T.’ Wearers of this emblem should remember that it represents a proud and dignified heritage, and that this heritage is now entrusted to us.” F. Review the season. G. B. Read the accomplishments of each student and hand each student his or her membership card, certificate, and Thespian induction pin. H. Have the new members stand and say the pledge. “I now ask all new members of Thespian Troupe ____ to stand and say the pledge with me (or “repeat after me”). “I promise to uphold / the aims and ideals of the International Thespian Society. / I am a student of theatre and excellence is my ideal. / I promise to perform my part as well as I can; / to accept praise and criticism with grace; / to cooperate with my fellow Thespians / and work for the good of the troupe; / and to share my love of theatre.” “Congratulations and welcome to the International Thespian Society. Always remember our motto, which comes from Alexander Pope’s ‘Essay on Man’: ‘Act well your part; there all the honor lies.’” I. If the induction of the members is part of an awards ceremony, conferring letters, stars, bars, Honor Thespian ranks, scholar distinctions, and awards can follow. J. In spring, if the officers for the coming year have been elected, they may be introduced at this time. “Thespians, the future of our organization depends on the dedication of all members and on the vision and the ingenuity of the officers. The members of our troupe have selected the following officers to direct our activities in the future: (Introduce the officers.) “It is my honor to confer upon you the charge of your offices in the International Thespian Society. I extend to you the trust of our members and of the Society in striving for the advancement of theatre arts in our education and in our community. Congratulations.”

• Induct students following the procedures provided in the troupe handbook.

A. Welcome the guests; introduce special guests or representatives. “Good evening. My name is _____ and I am the ________ of Troupe __________ of ___________(school name). We have some very special guests with us this evening, and as I introduce these guests, we would appreciate it if each would stand so that we may recognize you. (Introduce guests.) Thank you. At this time I would like to introduce the officers of our troupe.” (Introduce troupe officers.) B. Introduce the proceedings with a short history of the organization. (This may be done with one or more speakers.) “Friends, parents, instructors, directors, and special guests, it is a pleasure to welcome you here to share in the induction of ___ members into ___________(school name)’s Troupe ___________ of the International Thespian Society. Through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication, the candidates have earned sufficient points on a scale dictated by the International Thespian Society to have the right to be called Thespians. It is a title of honor, signifying a commitment to an art as old as humanity. “Commitment to theatre is what the International Thespian Society is all about. The Society was established in 1929 at Fairmont State College, Fairmont, West Virginia, by Dr. Earl Blank, who was then the director of dramatics at the high school in Casper, Wyoming; Dr. Paul Opp, a member of the college faculty; and Harry Leeper, a teacher at East Fairmont High School. “They named their organization the National Thespian Society for Thespis, the Greek who, according to legend, was the first actor; their guiding principle was a dedication to excellence in theatre arts in secondary schools. Seventy-one schools became charter members of the society. The first national convention and election of officers was held in 1930. From this modest beginning, the organization enjoyed steady growth, and in the next five years, the membership had increased to 320 troupes. The national office was moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1935. By the time the Society had celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, there were 3,190 troupes on its rolls. “At that point, the Society had grown into an international organization with more than 2.2 million members and troupes in every state and many foreign countries. The Society sponsors state, regional, national, and international theatre conferences where its members can learn more about the art and craft of theatre, perform and see outstanding performances, and audition for scholarships. “In 1989, the governing board of the Thespian Society formed the Educational Theatre Association to help it provide a broader range of services to theatre educators. The Educational Theatre Association is a professional organization for theatre teachers that includes in its membership all Thespian troupe directors. Its board now operates the International Thespian Society, continuing its ___-year tradition of honoring and serving theatre students and their teachers. “The goals of the International Thespian Society haven’t changed. It still strives to give young adults a place for outstanding theatre where the standards of excellence in theatre arts will be advanced, and to honor those students who do theatre well. And it continues to be guided by the principles of its founders: a belief that participation in the arts is an essential means of widening students’ cultural horizons and enriching their lives.” C. Introduce the candle lighting ceremony. “Let us pause to reflect on the many aspects of the evolution of our art, which encompasses all of the major forms of human expression. The history of theatre is the history of all people. It is the continuing search to find the answers to the awesome mysteries that motivate the human personality. Just as our early ancestors dramatized a crisis in their lives, so today we come to the theatre to search for answers to the process through which the theatre arts have become a part of our cultural heritage. To recall and pay tribute to these arts, we begin the lighting of the candles.” The first speaker may read the speech and then light the candle, or an individual performance may precede each of the speeches (an acting monologue for the memory of Thespis, a musical solo before the speech about music, etc.). For safety and reliability, electric candles are recommended. Open flames may be used at the discretion of the director, provided local fire codes permit them. “During the sixth century B.C., one of the writers of tragedy who won the approval of the priests at the Festival of Dionysus was Thespis. About 535 B.C. a new dimension was added to drama when Thespis, who was a prominent leader of the Greek chorus, stepped from that group and recited portions of the drama alone. In the moment he separated himself from the chorus, Thespis became the first actor. We also believe that it was he who first used masks so that a person could portray more than one part. “In honor of this early Greek writer, all actors are called Thespians. In his honor we are the International Thespian Society. We have as our emblem the two masks of comedy and tragedy etched in colors of gold and blue bound together with the Thespian ‘T.’ I light this candle in memory of Thespis. I light it to remind the wearers of the masks that the emblem represents a proud and dignified heritage, and that this heritage is now entrusted to us.” The first speaker lights the candle from which all the other candles will be lit. Then the speaker stands aside for the dance-pantomime performance and/or speech. “No one knows when people began to dance. Archaeologists believe that people have always danced. To pacify the frightening forces of nature and to express joy in the gentle beauty around them, primitive people, by means of rhythmic movement and pantomime, communed with a being that both protected and threatened them. “Early people realized that everything around them had a rhythmic pattern. They saw this in the path of the sun, in the changing seasons, in the movement of animals, and in their own heartbeats. In their attempt to understand their world and to worship their gods, they imitated those rhythms and developed the earliest known form of performance. When a hunter wished to boast of his skill, he leaped into the circle about the fire and relived his exploits. To the primitive mind, this was magic; to us, it is pantomime. “Wherever people lived, the dance/drama developed. As the intellectual powers of the human being became more acute, the dance became more complex. Gradually, through the ages, people learned to live in two worlds. In addition to the savage world of reality in which people worked and fought for existence, people created another of rhythm and imagination which expressed in dance and action their emotions, prayers, hopes, dreams, and sometimes simply the joys of the human existence. I light this candle from the Thespian candle in honor of the art of acting without words—dance and pantomime.” The speaker lights the candle from the Thespian candle (and either places it in a pre-assigned holder or holds the candle) and stands aside for the performance and/or speech about music. “Music is the language of time and space. From the prehistoric era to the present moment, music is a record of human feelings. Early people responded to the environment about them, finding their music in the natural world. “People detected pitch in the cries of animals, and tone quality in the wailing of the wind. They discovered rhythm in their own footsteps. The first songs were shouts of joy and fear, and these shouts echoed again and again in triumphs and defeats, thus releasing people’s innermost feelings. For the first musical instruments, there were two sticks banging simultaneously or stones clapped together in repeated beats. The music talked to gods or communicated with others through hand clapping, stomping, shouting, and the use of instruments. “The beginnings of music are buried with the countless centuries, but through the persistence of that mysterious inner force that requires all people to express themselves, humanity has found musical form in tone quality, pitch, and rhythm. I light this candle in honor of the musical expression of ideas and feelings that enhance so much of theatre today.” The speaker lights the candle from the Thespian candle and stands aside for the performance and/or speech about speech. “Pantomime and rhythm were not sufficient for early people who were endowed with an intellect. Even in a desolate existence, people sought to communicate ideas to other minds. Thus, people became adventurers, daring to enter the realm of reasoning and creativity. “In this new world, words could become symbols for thoughts, and as a result, speech became a part of the total experience of the human race. It was enough for other creatures to communicate danger or need through chirps or calls, but it was not enough for human beings, who wished to express concepts that were only imagined. “Today, while we can touch the past through speech and reach into our imaginings of the future with speech, perhaps what is even more astounding is that we can reveal our thoughts, hopes, and inspirations to other people through that same medium. “I light this candle in honor of speech, which lifts human beings from ordinary reality to entire worlds beyond, especially the worlds created on the stage.” The speaker lights the candle from the Thespian candle and stands aside for the performance and/or speech about dramatic literature. “In our western culture, dramatic literature grew in part out of the worship of Dionysus, the youthful god of wine and revelry, and of crops and vegetation. Because of the importance of this deity to the ancient Greeks, they honored him each year with elaborate festivals, during which a chorus of men dressed as satyrs, mythical beings who were half goat and half man, and danced about an altar chanting his praise. Thus was born the Greek chorus, and it became a central focus in the development of the powerful tragedies of the golden age of Greek drama. “Around 600 B.C., playwrights presented their plays in annual festivals in the great theatre of Dionysus at Athens. Each hoped to win the approval of the priests whose privilege it was to choose the best play and to bestow a prize upon the writer. “I light this candle in honor of dramatic literature, each script depicting the agonies and comedies of the human drama and providing the map to guide the process of creating theatre.” The speaker lights the candle from the Thespian candle and stands aside for the performance and/or speech about the theatre. “In a very real sense, the theatre today knows no bounds. While primitive people pantomimed around the fire, and the Greek actor portrayed his agony of spirit in the dancing circle, the modern performer presents his soul searching on a stage, the seeing place, and in an auditorium, the hearing place. “The theatre speaks to all of us, and at the same time it speaks for all of us. It is a critical voice, exhorting people to become aware of the world in which they live, and to pass judgment upon it. It is a social voice, exhibiting both our nobility and our pettiness. Most of all, it is a prophetic voice. “The events that affect our future are given form through the use of the techniques of the modern theatre. The theatre of today has accepted the challenge of its time. It is stripping away the masks of Thespis and is revealing the complexities of the human condition with an uncompromising vigor and honesty. “Theatre has outgrown the confines of the seeing place. No building can contain the impact of this most powerful force that brings together all forms of art and artistic achievement. Truly, to paraphrase Shakespeare, all the world is our stage, and we men and women are its players. “I light this candle in honor of all that is drama, from the use of artistic lighting to focus attention, to the painting of the scenery or the sculpture of a costume or the makeup on an actor’s face, from the soundless movements of acting to the rhythmic movements of dance, from the playwright’s script that will heighten our awareness of the world to the spoken speech, I honor all the arts that are theatre.” The speaker lights this last candle from the Thespian candle and stands aside for the speaker who will read the accomplishments of each of the students who have earned the right to become Thespians. Each student may be given a candle, which they will light from the Thespian candle after they have received their membership card, certificate, and Thespian induction pin. D. Introduce new members and review their accomplishments. “The following students have met the requirements for membership in the International Thespian Society, an honor and a reward for their participation in the theatre program at this school. As I read your name and your accomplishments that have earned you this honor, please step forward for your membership card, certificate, pin, and candle; and please light your candle at the Thespian candle.” Depending on the amount of time—and number of students and people to help hand out the certificates, and membership cards, and pins—the following may be said: “This certificate serves as evidence of the honor you have received for helping to promote the theatre arts program in this school. “This membership card is your identification as a Thespian. This will serve as a reminder of the responsibilities you assumed when accepting membership in the Society.” “This induction pin of gold and blue will indicate to others that you are part of an honored international group. May you wear it with pride.” E. With candles lit, the pledge is introduced and the new members may read or repeat the Thespian pledge. “While membership in the society is an honor, it is also evidence of your continuing desire to work toward higher standards for theatre productions in education and arts programs. Therefore, membership places upon you the obligation of performing your best with the knowledge that greater honors come to those who accept greater responsibilities through cooperation with others. “I now ask all new members of Thespian Troupe _____ to say the pledge with me (“or repeat after me”). “I promise to uphold / the aims and ideals of the International Thespian Society. / I am a student of theatre and excellence is my ideal. / I promise to perform my part as well as I can; / to accept praise and criticism with grace; / to cooperate with my fellow thespians / and work for the good of the troupe; / and to share my love of theatre.” “The pledge that you have just taken binds you to the principles and ideals of the International Thespian Society. You are to do the tasks assigned to you. You are to cooperate with your troupe officers and fellow students as well as your teachers and administrators in helping to raise the standards of excellence in all areas of your experience. You are to refrain from any action that may hinder the work of your troupe. You are to conduct yourselves so that you may gain the respect of your school (or program) and your community. “By the authority delegated to me by the International Thespian Society, I now declare you members of Troupe No. _____ of ___________(school name). “Congratulations and welcome to the International Thespian Society. Always remember our motto which comes from Alexander Pope’s ‘Essay on Man’: ‘Act well your part; there all the honor lies.’” Lead audience in applause. “Please step to the membership roll, and hand your candle to _____________, who will hold it while you sign your name.” When members are finished signing the roll and lined up again, the speaker may say: “If the glow of the achievements of ages past in all art forms is to continue to brighten the path of humanity and help civilization grow, then the theatre must remain a vigorous part of that enlightenment and growth by adding new talent to its ranks, talent that will justify the existence and continuance of drama. We welcome you as new Thespians and urge you to use your talents so that our candles may shine more brilliantly as you act well your parts. We have confidence in your ability to achieve success. We sincerely hope that you will enjoy your association with this organization. As you now extinguish your candles, resolve to always let the flame glow in your hearts.” F. If the officers for the coming year have been elected, they may be introduced at this time. “Thespians, the future of our organization depends on the dedication of all members and on the vision and the ingenuity of the officers. The members of our troupe have selected the following officers to direct our activities in the future: (Introduce the officers.) “It is my honor to confer upon you the charge of your offices in the International Thespian Society. I extend to you the trust of our members and of the Society in striving for the advancement of theatre arts in education and in our community. Congratulations.” G. Introduce any other performances that students may have prepared, give out the rest of the awards if any are to be given, introduce the guest speaker, and/or give one of the concluding sentences:

• “This concludes our induction (awards) ceremony this evening. Thank you for attending this ceremony; your continued support and appreciation of our accomplishments serve to strengthen our society.”
• “It is my pleasure to invite you to remain for refreshments and to greet our new members.” (Outline plans for reception.)
• “We are pleased to have parents, friends, and special guests with us on this occasion. May we extend to you a cordial invitation to return for other induction ceremonies and also to attend our future production(s).” (Giving details, if available.)

The Junior Thespian induction ceremony may be easily adapted to fit each troupe’s situation. For example, either the troupe director and/or the troupe officers may perform the ceremony. The ceremony may be approached informally with improvisations or interspersing scenes, or more formally with speeches, poetry, and awards. Troupe directors or troupe members may use elements and ideas from either the Brief Membership Induction Ceremony or the Standard Membership Induction Ceremony described above, but it is suggested that the Formal Membership Induction Ceremony be reserved for secondary schools. Before the ceremony:

• Induct students following the procedures provided in the Junior Thespian troupe handbook.

A. Introduce the proceedings with a short history of the organization and discussion of the importance of theatre. “It is my pleasure to welcome you here to share in the induction of ___ new members in the ___________(school name)’s Junior Thespian Troupe _______________. “Since 1929 the International Thespian Society, the student honorary division of the Educational Theatre Association, has worked to promote theatre arts in education. The organization is named for Thespis, the Greek who, according to legend, stepped out from the chorus and became the first actor. “Students become members by earning points for their work. Junior Thespian membership is granted for the performance of meritorious work in theatre arts that meets the International Thespian Society’s guidelines. Points are earned for hours spent in rehearsal and performance, working on production crews, working in the box office, doing committee work, and helping with Junior Thespian projects. “Just as points can be earned in many different areas of the theatre, theatre provides many different areas of learning. Not only does theatre serve as a bridge that connects to the other fine arts disciplines of dance, music, and painting, but also into such areas as history, literature, science, math, psychology, home economics, drafting, industrial arts, marketing, computer science, and others. Theatre also stimulates creativity and problem-solving skills. “Involvement in theatre builds confidence in students, and it enhances students’ abilities to work in groups toward a common goal. Theatre helps students develop self-discipline and encourages commitment to a cause. “For some, theatre could provide a career path; however, for most, it is a creative and social outlet. It makes no difference: for the student, theatre in school is an enormously valuable experience. “We are honored, therefore, to present membership to the following students who have fulfilled the requirements through their deserving work in the theatre and through Junior Thespian activities. “When I read your name, please receive your membership card, certificate, and induction pin.” (Read the names and review the accomplishments of students earning membership.) “Would the new inductees please repeat the Thespian pledge after me: “I promise to uphold / the aims and ideals of the International Thespian Society. / I am a student of theatre and excellence is my ideal. / I promise to perform my part as well as I can; / to accept praise and criticism with grace; / to cooperate with my fellow thespians / and work for the good of the troupe; / and to share my love of theatre.” “Congratulations, and welcome to membership in the International Thespian Society as Junior Thespians. Always remember the International Thespian Society motto, which comes from Alexander Pope’s ‘Essay on Man’: ‘Act well your part; there all the honor lies.’” As an alternative to the text above, or to supplement it, the troupe director might present a brief history of theatre: “Actors are called Thespians in honor of the first actor, Thespis, who emerged from the ancient Greek chorus and became an individual character in the play. Theatre is said to be more than 6,000 years old. The priests of Egypt created the first dramatic literature with highly emotional religious hymns. Later, in Greece, drama evolved and flourished, becoming an integral part of the lives and culture of the people. “Theatre declined during the Roman era, however, and was eventually banned by the church. Curiously enough, the Christian church was responsible for the rebirth of drama in Europe more than a thousand years later. During that time—the Dark Ages—most people could not read or write, and so priests began acting out scenes from the Bible for the benefit of the masses. “With the coming of the Renaissance, drama moved out of the churches and into the courtyards, reaching new heights with the plays of the immortal William Shakespeare during the Elizabethan period. “Today, we are in an era of more realistic theatre. Modern plays attempt to portray life honestly, whether comic or tragic. As young people of today, you are part of the living theatre. Those of you who have earned membership will be inducted as members of Junior Thespian Troupe ___ of the International Thespian Society.”

The troupe director may draw freely from the various versions to create a ceremony that is suitable to his or her school’s circumstances; however, the formal induction ceremony should be reserved for students of senior high school age.

Some thoughts from the authors: There is nothing sacred about these ceremony texts; they should be considered models that the troupe director can revise and adapt to suit his or her individual circumstances. An induction ceremony can be part of a general awards night, a short, informal celebration, or a formal event.

Suggestions for successful preparation and planning:

• The principal, superintendent, school board members and like school officials may be invited to attend and even have a role in the ceremony. For a charter ceremony they should definitely be invited.
• Select and adapt a ceremony that fits the available stage, lighting, costuming, and time constraints.
• Cast the ceremony just as you would a play and schedule rehearsals.
• Notify in writing all students who have earned the honor of Thespian membership by issuing them invitations to the induction ceremony. Students in many formal induction ceremonies are each asked to do an individual performance (monologue, pantomime, dance, musical solo, reading of a piece of their own original script, or a brief presentation on a costume, set, lighting, or makeup design the student has created.) Schedule rehearsals so that these performances and the other activities surrounding these performances can work smoothly together.
• Follow the procedures for inducting new student members provided in the appropriate troupe handbook. Remember that the induction of students takes place when the students’ names, information, and membership fees are received by the EdTA National Office. Inductions should be submitted prior to the ceremony, which is the local celebration of induction.
• Submit membership forms two to three weeks in advance to ensure a timely delivery of materials. The EdTA National Office will provide a Thespian induction pin and a personalized membership card and certificate for each new member.
• In designing decorations for the ceremony, keep in mind that the Thespian colors are blue and gold. Traditional Thespian flowers are blue delphinium and yellow roses. Optional ITS table covers and banners are available for purchase through the online EdTA store.
• The use of candles is a traditional but optional part of more formal ITS induction ceremonies. For safety and reliability, electric candles are recommended. Open flames may be used at the discretion of the director, provided school rules and local fire codes permit them. If open flames are used, appropriate safety precautions must be taken.
• Prepare the record of accomplishments for each student’s dramatic activities; these will be read at the ceremony.
• Publicize the event to all interested parties—parents and relatives, school officials, your faculty colleagues, the general public, and technical and support personnel in the theatre.
• Prepare a pre-ceremony press release for the newspapers, radio, and television stations. Include a short history of the troupe and an announcement of the names of the inductees (with parents’ permission, if necessary). Also include an announcement of the time and place of the induction ceremony if it is open to the public.
• Prepare a post-ceremony press release complete with a high quality photo and quote from an administrator and/or distinguished guest for maximum public relations impact for your program and recognition for your inductees.
• As part of your ceremony, acknowledge student advancement through Honor Thespian, National Honor Thespian, and International Honor Thespian ranks as well as all three scholar distinctions.

Acknowledgments The 1998 revision of the International Thespian Society charter and induction ceremony models was undertaken by a committee consisting of Judy Babcock, Rita Freeberg, and Steve Halper. Special thanks to Judy Babcock for her insights into middle school inductions and to Steve Halper for his valuable input, distribution, and field testing of the document. The committee appreciates the input of the staff of the Educational Theatre Association and the input of troupe directors from around the world.

Special thanks to those troupe directors who sent us their induction ceremony and videotapes of their ceremonies. These ceremonies contain material drawn from many sources, including the various previous versions of the ceremonies published by the International Thespian Society. Grateful acknowledgment is made in particular to Jean E. Donahey, Helen Smith, and Julian Meyers; Steve Halper and Salpointe Catholic High School, Tucson; Bettijane Burger; and Pam Ware.

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ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Voice for the army - support for the soldier.

• NCO Induction Ceremony

F-1.   The NCO induction ceremony is a celebration of the newly promoted joining the ranks of a professional noncommissioned officer corps and emphasizes and builds on the pride we all share as members of such an elite corps. The ceremony should also serve to honor the memory of those men and women of the NCO Corps who have served with pride and distinction.

"A pat on the back applied at the proper moment in the circumstances can have a dramatic influence in developing leader."

SMA William G. Bainbridge

F-2. Induction ceremonies should in no way be used as an opportunity for hazing, but more as a rite of passage. It allows fellow NCOs of a unit to build and develop a cohesive bond, support team development and serve as a legacy for future NCO Induction Ceremonies.

F-3. The importance of recognizing the transition from "just one of the guys or gals" to a noncommissioned officer should be shared among the superiors, peers and soldiers of the newly promoted. The induction ceremony should be held separate and to serve as an extension of the promotion ceremony. Typical Army promotion effective dates occur on the first day of a month and when possible, so should the induction ceremony.

F-4. The NCO induction ceremony is typically conducted at the Battalion (or equivalent) level. Though it can be held at higher or lower levels, this document will provide an example for a Battalion NCO induction ceremony. By changing the titles of key NCO leaders to meet your own need, you can tailor this document to your own organization.

F-5. Though the location of the ceremony is not as important as the content, consider the following: As part of the socialization process of newly promoted noncommissioned officers, the induction ceremony should be held in a social meeting area, such as NCO, community, or all-ranks club. Alternately, a well equipped gymnasium, post theater, or for smaller ceremonies, a unit dayroom could be used. Chapel use is discouraged to avoid perceptions of "ritualistic" or "mystic" overtones that go directly against the intended result.

F-6. As part of the socialization process for new noncommissioned officers, the induction ceremony should be scheduled as a training event on the training calendar. The formal portion should take place during the duty day, prior to retreat. By making it a training event during duty hours, you not only get maximum participation, but command support (Commanders approve training schedules). The optimum time is 1630 to 1700 for the formal portion (the ceremony) and 1700-1730 for the informal portion (greetings, congratulations and socializing).

KEY PERSONNEL

F-7. As the senior NCO of the command, the battalion command sergeant major serves as the host of the NCO induction ceremony. The first sergeants are the CSM’s assistants and they compose the "Official Party." If desired, a guest speaker for the ceremony may be included and also is a part of the official party. A narrator will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

INVITED GUESTS AND VIPs

F-8. As a wholly noncommissioned officer sponsored event, guests and VIPs should be limited to current and former US Army NCOs. Certain situations may warrant an officer or civilian to attend and will not detract from the nature of the occasion. Typical invited guests could include higher echelon command sergeants major (brigade, division, regimental, commandant), installation or base support battalion (BSB) command sergeants major, or even lateral (battalion level) command sergeants major. Additionally, special guests serving as motivational speakers should be included (though not required) as part of an induction ceremony.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

F-9. Though each ceremony can be as different as the people it recognizes can, a commonality should be shared between them. The following items should be available for each:

· A passage of a citation for bravery or valor in the face of difficulty demonstrated by a noncommissioned officer. · Copies of the NCO Creed, one per inductee. · FM 7-22.7 ,  The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide , one per inductee. · Sound system, if needed. Requirement based only on the number present and the "command voice" of the participants. · Programs (including the words to the NCO Creed) if desired.

CEREMONY CONDUCT

F-10. Appendix F and the example ceremony it contains provide a common basis from which to begin. Tailor it to suit your specific needs. The goal is to present a professional and memorable NCO induction ceremony.

Official party - Waiting outside the ceremony room. Narrator - At the sound system/podium.

Inductees - Formed in advance at an appropriate location. Each should have a copy (or portion) of the NCO Creed.

(2-minutes before ceremony begins)

• NARRATOR:  Ladies and Gentlemen, the ceremony will begin in two minutes. (At the predetermined time)
• NARRATOR:  Please rise for the official party.

(Official party arrives, marches to designated location. Stops, then takes appropriate positions)

• NARRATOR:  Welcome to (this months) (month name) NCO induction ceremony where we recognize the passing of the group before you (the inductees) into the ranks of the time-honored United States Army Noncommissioned Officer Corps. Today’s official party consists of (names). The tradition of commemorating the passing of a soldier to a noncommissioned officer can be traced to the Army of Frederick the Great. Before one could be recognized in the full status of an NCO, he was required to stand four watches, one every four days.
• At the first watch the private soldiers appeared and claimed a gift of bread and brandy. The company NCOs came to the second watch for beer and tobacco and the First Sergeant reserved his visit for the third watch, when he was presented with a glass of wine and a piece of tobacco on a tin plate1. Today, we commemorate this rite of passage as a celebration of the newly promoted joining the ranks of a professional noncommissioned officer corps and emphasize and build on the pride we all share as members of such an elite corps. We also serve to honor the memory of those men and women of the NCO Corps who have served with pride and distinction. Today, we remember one of our own, one whose courage should not go unremembered:
• NARRATOR:  (read citation. Include name, unit, etc.)
• NARRATOR:  Since the earliest days of our Army, the noncommissioned officer has been recognized as one who instills discipline and order within a unit. Baron Friedrich von Steuben, the US Army’s first "Drill-Master" listed in his  Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States , the  Blue Book  that: "Each Sergeant and Corporal will be answerable for the squad committed to his care. He must pay particular attention to their conduct in every respect and that they keep themselves and their arms always clean. In dealing with recruits, they must exercise all their patience and while on the march, the noncommissioned officers must preserve order and regularity." Today, we continue that tradition. (Name), our (guest speaker)(CSM) now will share his/her instructions with our newest sergeants and corporals.
• SPEAKER:  (motivational speech)
• NARRATOR:  The Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer has served as a guiding document for noncommissioned officers since its inception in 1973, though its concepts have been always been a part of our Corps. Each major paragraph begins with three letters: N, C and O. These words have inspired noncommissioned officers and have served as a compass to guide us down the right paths that we encounter. Today, our newest noncommissioned officers will affirm their commitment to the professionalism of our corps and become a part of the "Backbone" of the Army.

(Inductees rise)

(Have all present read the NCO Creed together.) Note: provide copies in advance to all present.

• CSM/HOST:  Moves to each inductee, issues them a copy of FM 7-22.7,  The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide , then shakes their hand and congratulates them.
• ALL PRESENT:  Applause.
• NARRATOR:  As we conclude today’s ceremony, we ask you to greet our newest inductees and join us in welcoming them to the Corps. Please rise for the exit of the official party.
• OFFICIAL PARTY: ( Departs. Ceremony ends. Informal portion begins -- socializing).

"Some of the old soldiers out there who have perhaps grown a bit cynical and too sophisticated for ceremonies think you have the option to decline a ceremony for yourself.

‘Sir, just give the orders and I’ll sew on my stripes tonight in the privacy of my home,’ you might say; or ‘Sir, don’t go to the trouble of setting up an ceremony: you can just give me the stripe right here in your office.’

Does that sound familiar? Stop a minute to consider how selfless you are supposed to be as a leader. A military ceremony is not yours even if you are the sole reason for the ceremony. It belongs to all the soldiers. Don’t miss any opportunity to stop and recognize well-deserving soldiers, especially the opportunity to reward young soldiers receiving their first awards or advancements a simple tradition of our Army packed with a powerful stimulus for soldiers."

CSM Joshua Perry

The History of the NCO Creed

The Creed has existed in different versions for a number of years. Long into their careers, sergeants remember reciting the NCO Creed during their induction into the NCO Corps. Nearly every NCO’s office or home has a copy hanging on a wall. Some have intricate etchings in metal on a wooden plaque, or printed in fine calligraphy. But a quick glance at any copy of the NCO Creed and you will see no author's name at the bottom. The origin of the NCO Creed is a story of its own.

In 1973, the Army (and the noncommissioned officer corps) was in turmoil. Of the post-Vietnam developments in American military policy, the most influential in shaping the Army was the advent of the Modern Volunteer Army. With the inception of the Noncommissioned Officer Candidate Course, many young sergeants were not the skilled trainers of the past and were only trained to perform a specific job; squad leaders in Vietnam. The noncommissioned officer system was under development and the army was rewriting its Field Manual 22-100,  Leadership , to set a road map for leaders to follow.

Of those working on the challenges at hand, one of the only NCO-pure instructional departments at the U.S Army Infantry School (USAIS) at Fort Benning, Georgia, GA was the NCO Subcommittee of the Command and Leadership Committee in the Leadership Department. Besides training soldiers at the Noncommissioned Officers Academy, these NCOs also developed instructional material and worked as part of the team developing model leadership programs of instruction.

During one brainstorming session, SFC Earle Brigham recalls writing three letters on a plain white sheet of paper... N-C-O. From those three letters they began to build the NCO Creed. The idea behind developing a creed was to give noncommissioned officers a "yardstick by which to measure themselves."

When it was ultimately approved, the NCO Creed was printed on the inside cover of the special texts issued to students attending the NCO courses at Fort Benning, beginning in 1974. Though the NCO Creed was submitted higher for approval and distribution Army-wide, it was not formalized by an official army publication until 11 years later.

Though it has been rewritten in different ways, the NCO Creed still begins its paragraphs with those three letters: N-C-O. It continues to guide and reinforce the values of each new generation of noncommissioned officers.

(You may  download document as a PDF  (339K) or contact the  NCO/Soldier Programs  for a color copy)

Below is an example for an NCO Induction Ceremony

WALTER REED ARMY INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER INDUCTION CEREMONY

FOREST GLEN ANNEX SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

SEATING ARRANGEMENT:

HOST  :  Fellow Noncommissioned Officers, distinguish guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, the ceremony will begin in 2 minutes.

HOST:  Fellow Non Commissioned Officers, distinguish guests, Ladies, Gentlemen; Welcome to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research’s NCO Induction Ceremony, where today’s theme is “PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE”. Please rise for the entrance of the official party, the presentation of the colors, singing of the National Anthem, and remain standing for the invocation.

PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS  - THE COLOR GUARD

NATIONAL ANTHEM

CHAPLAIN -  INVOCATION

HOST:   Please be seated.

HOST :  Fellow Noncommissioned Officers, distinguish guests, Ladies and Gentlemen; I would like to introduce you to the members of the official party for today’s NCO Induction Ceremony, they are; __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

The tradition of the Induction ceremony is a passage used by senior NCOs to convey to newly promoted Sergeant’s the special pride, and sense of esteem felt when a young soldier enters the NCO Corps. This ceremony gives them their first experience of the pride and respect that goes along with being a member of the NCO Corps.

Today we are here to formally acknowledge and induct  __  soldier(s) into the NCO Corps. Having been selected, trained and duly promoted to the rank of SGT, they will now face another transition – their induction into the NCO Corps. Being an NCO is more than acquiring skills, passing boards or completing courses, it is a change in the mentality of how we conduct our day-to-day business. Our TWO responsibilities become the accomplishment the mission and the well being of our soldiers. We change our frame of thought from worrying about ourselves to mentoring, training, guiding, leading, and taking care of the soldiers whose lives we are entrusted with. We put their needs and welfare before our own. We uphold traditions, dignity and high standards. We willingly accept responsibility for the good or bad of those under our supervision. We possess the moral courage to correct what is wrong and recognize our soldiers for their accomplishments. We strive to develop our soldiers into aspiring soldiers of the Army, the community, and the Nation. This metamorphosis from a follower to a leader is required to become the backbone of the Army.

HOST:   We have an inspirational slide show to instill some of the patriotism, pride and honor behind the metamorphosis to becoming a NCO (NCOs will rise for the Lee Greenwood song.)

HOST:  Some of the WRAIR’s most outstanding NCO’s will transport us to eras of our past, present, and future.

HOST:  Introduction of the guest speaker.

GUEST SPEAKER’S MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH:

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CANDLES: _________________

______________________  - Will light the candles at the appropriate time.

HOST:  The Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer has served as a guiding document for the Non commissioned officers since it’s inception in 1973, though it’s concepts have always been a part of our Corps. Each major paragraph begins with three letters N, C, and O. These words have inspired non commissioned officers and have served as a compass to guide us down the right paths that we encounter. Today, our newest Noncommissioned Officer(s) will affirm their commitment to the professionalism of our Corps, and become a part of the “Backbone” of the Army.

HOST:  Gives the Command “NCO CREED” the soldiers at this time will do the breakdown of the NCO Creed.

HOST:  “INDUCTEES  pause  TAKE SEATS”

HOST:  Who will Sponsor this Non Commissioned Officer into the NCO Corps? SGT ------------- (Sponsor and Inductee stands swiftly to attention)

SPONSOR:   States, SGM, I, SGT _______________ would like to sponsor SGT _____________ into the ranks of the Non Commissioned Officer Corps. At this time the sponsor will recite a brief biography of the inductee. The Bio will contain, where the person came from, marital status, children, when they joined the Army, MOS, brief listing of assignments, current assignment position and date of rank.

BOTH the sponsor and the Inductee will proceed to the NCO Creed signing table. Complete signature, handshake and on command of “center face” the sponsor and inductee, both will execute an about face and march to one step in front of the color guard. (Time for a photo shoot)

2 Soldiers from the color guard, one will command “Arch Sabers”

HOST:   I present to you SGT_______________, New Inductee of the Non Commissioned Officer Corps. (On the word Corps the NCOs will step thru the arched sabers.)

This will continue until all NCOs have been inducted. The color guard will then give the command “Center Face” and remain at the position of attention.

HOST :  Will Command “Inductees Post”. Speaker moves to his seat.

Inductees will take two steps forward, right face, six steps forward, to form a single file in front of the audience and on command of the center inductee, “Group Halt” “Left Face”.

HOST :  Moves to the front of the Inductees

HOST:   Raise your right hand and repeat after me-

I, (State your rank and last name),

Do solemnly dedicate myself to uphold the traditions,

Dignity, and high standards of the United States Army Corps of the NCO,

I willingly accept the responsibility for the actions,

Good or bad, of every soldier under my command or supervision.

5-second pause

Should I observe errors or actions detrimental to the service committed by any subordinate,

I will have the moral courage to take immediate corrective actions.

This I recognize as my greatest obligation as a Non Commissioned Officer.

HOST: Fellow Noncommissioned Officers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you WRAIR’s newly inducted Non Commisioned Officers, Leaders, trainers and mentors of our future!

(Host takes seat and Inductees march back to their seats)

Presentation to guest speaker.

On behalf of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, I would like to present a token of appreciation to  _________________________.

Please rise for a moment of silence to remember our fallen comrades from conflicts past and most dearly the conflict at present Enduring Freedom and remain standing for the Benediction.

(SLIDE SHOW and TAPS)

CHAPLAIN :  Benediction

HOST:   Please remain standing for the singing of the Army Song and for the departure of the official party.

ALL:  Sings Army Song and awaits departure of official party.

HOST:   Fellow Non Commissioned Officers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today’s ceremony.

Please welcome our newly inducted NCOs at the front of the auditorium and then join us for cake and beverages in the foyer

CAREER ADVANCEMENT

• Tips for Preparing for Best Ranger Competition
• Be, Know and Do
• Preparing for a Centralized Selection Board While Deployed
• Preparing for Centralized noncommissioned Boards
• Tips for Rapid Advancement
• Basic Leader Course Information
• NCO Reading List
• Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

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Best Practices & Strategies for Successful Induction Ceremonies

Every chapter leader wants to ensure their induction ceremony is memorable and engaging. After all, soon-to-be inducted NSLS members put in the work and deserve to be celebrated.

HOW TO MAKE INDUCTION MEMORABLE

But hosting a great induction ceremony—or any campus event—isn't always easy. Tons of details go into running events and the closer they get, the more questions you might have about the decisions you've already made. That's why we covered this topic at length in our Chapter Leader Forum on March 20. During this virtual event, we shared how you can improve overall engagement and host a memorable induction. NSLS staff and chapter leaders from across the country also got into the nitty-gritty of what makes an induction ceremony work.

Watch: BEST PRACTICES & STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL INDUCTION CEREMONIES

By watching the recording, you'll:

Gain insights and tips from chapter leaders from all over the nation.

Hear NSLS staff outline induction ceremony best practices.

Leave with a better understanding of overall event management.

Watch the Forum anytime to help boost member engagement and enhance your future induction ceremonies.

Navigating Virtual & In-Person Events

Want to lead impactful events for your chapter but aren’t sure where to start?

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what should i expect at my national honors society induction.

Hi everyone, I'm getting inducted into NHS soon and I don't know what to expect. Can anyone fill me in on the process, what to wear, and any advice to make the most of the experience?

Congratulations on your upcoming National Honor Society induction! The ceremony itself is usually formal and consists of a few key components, such as speeches from NHS officers or school administrators, the formal induction of new members, and typically a reception to celebrate afterward.

As for the dress code, most NHS induction ceremonies have semi-formal attire. For males, you might want to wear a dress shirt, dress pants, and tie, while for females, a nice dress or a blouse with a skirt or dress pants would be appropriate. It's always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed, so if you're unsure about what to wear, opt for something a bit more formal.

To make the most of your experience, be sure to arrive early so you can find your seat and settle in. Listen attentively to the speeches, as they might offer great insights and advice for your future endeavors within the NHS and beyond. Also, don't hesitate to fully participate in any traditions or rituals that your school or local chapter may have, such as the NHS pledge or the candlelight ceremony.

Lastly, enjoy this moment! Getting inducted into the National Honor Society is an impressive accomplishment and a great opportunity for you to network with like-minded peers. Make an effort to interact with other inductees and existing NHS members during and after the ceremony. This is just the beginning of a wonderful journey as an NHS member. Good luck, and have a great time!

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Imagining Your Denison Experience: A Message to Our Incoming Students

Welcome to Denison, to Granville, and to college!

In coming to Denison, you have made a wise decision.

You have selected a college where people make life-long friends. Chances are you are sitting a few feet from someone you do not know, who will become a close friend for the rest of your life.

You also have selected a college where students develop incredibly close relationships with their faculty. Student-faculty relationships run deep here. They anchor the student experience.

And you have selected a college where people follow their life-long passions, develop new passions and, at graduation, look back with pride on what they have accomplished, with nostalgia for how much fun it has been, and with excitement for what Denison has prepared them to do with their lives.

If you take advantage of Denison, it will open opportunities and ways of being that you cannot even imagine. Or, as an alumnus said to me last year, “If you love this college, it will love you back.”

At Denison, there are multiple paths to your education. You are going to be the architect of your own Denison experience. I offer three pieces of advice. Or, stated slightly differently, I ask three things of you. This is my charge to the Denison Class of 2018:

First, take full advantage of the academic journey.

Your classes are the foundational element of your education. You have chosen to come to a liberal arts college. At its root, a liberal arts education gives you a broad-based education that seeks to develop the whole person. We want to help you become a human being who can think critically, understand profoundly, and connect broadly.

The historian William Cronon defines the liberally educated person as someone who is possessed with some simple but rare qualities. They can listen and hear, read and understand, talk with anyone, write clearly and persuasively and movingly, solve a wide variety of puzzles and problems, and respect rigor as a way of seeking truth. They act from a place of respect and humility, treating others with tolerance and practicing self-criticism. Because they possess these qualities, they are people who understand how to get things done in the world, nurture and empower the people around them, and see the connections that help one to make sense of the world and act in creative ways.

The essence of your education will come from learning to ask the right questions. Answers are important, but only if you get the questions right. Getting the questions right turns out to be the hard part. To do this, you have to tap into your sense of wonder and your creativity.

The faculty who will guide you on this journey are among the best educators in the world. They are master teachers who came to Denison because they believe in the power of the student-faculty interaction. My biggest piece of advice is to dive into your classes and get to know your faculty. They are amazing and they care deeply about students. They are the best faculty in the country, bar none.

Second: Seek out challenges. These are what you will remember most.

Every semester, make it a point to seek out a few experiences that push you outside your comfort zone. Take a class that you are not sure you will like. Or maybe even take a class you are not sure you can pass. Make it a point to participate in a campus activity that will show your vulnerabilities. Life is so much easier once you get over the fear of being embarrassed!

Do this in your interactions too. Make it a point to sit with people you do not know and strike up a conversation before class. Find the person in your residence hall whose life experiences are most different from your own and work to develop a friendship. Seek out professors and peers whose views threaten you from your very core and learn to hear them.

Do not be afraid to fail. The Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho wrote, “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” The athlete Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Recently, a member of the Denison community said to me, “In our best moments, members of the Denison community provoke each other. We inspire, demand and challenge each other to get out of our comfort zones, move away from our myopic views of the world, and take a chance on believing we might have more to offer to ourselves, each other and the world than we think we do. We do self-discovery and excellence well.”

Denison will give you amazing opportunities to follow your passions as students, athletes, artists, scientists, community builders, and innovators. But also make it a point to find new passions. Leave here different than you arrived. All of this requires being willing to take risks and being resilient in the face of failure.

Take risks. Accept failure and embarrassment as part of the path towards a life worth living.

My third piece of advice: Step up and participate in this community.

Make this college stronger because you were here, and be a wise and ethical steward of our standards and ways of being. The Denison community is special. It has wonderful traditions. You will learn about the many values of our community. Let me mention a few important ones to get you started:

We have a culture of performance and excellence. We expect people to show up and participate. From classrooms to athletic fields, studios and stages to residence halls, we expect students to contribute. This community is comprised of the sum total of the people within it. Every year, we remake the community through the actions of the people who are here.

In doing so, we always ask every member to strive for excellence. From all kinds of people in many different ways, you are going to receive the mentorship and opportunities needed to practice and learn to excel, and you are expected to mentor others to do the same. Failure is fine. Mistakes are common. In fact, it is expected. But all of this should be done as part of the process of learning to do things the right way, the ethical way, on the road to success.

Respect and integrity also are important here. We make good decisions for ourselves and the larger community. Look around. These are your Denison classmates. You will spend the next four years together. You will stay in touch with many of these people well beyond Denison. Put most simply, you will have a bond with this group of people for the rest of your life.

Your Denison experience will be shaped by how you treat each other. My charge to you is to be a great Denison class that always shows care and respect for each other. I want you to have a great college experience that is exciting, rewarding, and fun.

To make that happen I ask you to remember that this is a place where people make good and smart decisions for themselves, and where we intervene when we see other members of our community getting ready to make a bad decision for themselves or for others. This is a community where people genuinely care for each other and have no tolerance when people make bad decisions that negatively impact others.

All of the data we have about college in the United States suggests that these principles are most crucial during the first few weeks of your college experience, especially as it relates to issues of alcohol and sexual assault. Over the next few weeks, be a class that looks out for each other during those initial weeks of college. If you see a classmate struggling, step up by stepping in. Tell someone when they are getting ready to make a mistake. Sit with someone who is sitting alone. Do your part to make sure the Denison Class of 2018 gets off to a great start.

You are talented and amazing people. Be a friend, early and often. And see each other as friends and treat each other as such. This is how a great community is made.

The last value I want to stress relates to our respect for differences of all kinds. This is an incredibly diverse place by race, ethnicity, class, religion, geographic origin, interests and passions, and religious and political views. At Denison, diversity is not just what we are; it guides how we act. Learn to live, work and enjoy the companionship of people who are different, and you will graduate with one of the most important skills of the 21st century.

That is my advice: Take full advantage of the academics, seek out challenging experiences both inside and outside the classroom, and embrace this community and the values that shape it.

I am excited to get to know you. If you see me in the dining hall, sit with me. If you see me walking across campus, let me know how things are going. And if you walk past Monomoy Place and you see my family and me sitting outside, come to say hello and meet our awesome dog, Ellie. My family and I fell in love with this college during our first year, and we want the same for you.

Class of 2018, welcome to the Denison family.