As the semester draws to a close, the planning for the next one begins!
Blue Keys Honor Society held its first in-person induction ceremony since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic at the University of Guam Calvo Fieldhouse on May 1st. The ceremony celebrated its inductees, members, graduating seniors, and BKHS officers. Along celebrating the induction were honorary guests; Sallie McDonald of UOG’s Enrollment Management & Student Success, Professor Ronald McNinch, UOG 60th Student Body Association President Angelo Paule, UOG President Thomas Krise, and many more. Family and Friends were welcome to celebrate as well.
With 30 members at the start of Spring 2022, BKHS welcomed 21 newly inducted members, making it the largest number of members in the organization at 51. “In the beginning of my term, we only had 15 members, so to get to 51 is a big accomplishment and I’m proud,” BKHS President Mia Dulana.
Following the lighting of the candles and the distribution of certificates to the inductees, Dulana announced the new officers for the next upcoming semester, Fall 2022.
President – Christianna Ebio
Vice President – Jean Bactad
Secretary – Hanna Ocampo
Treasurer – Xiantei Limtuatco
Public Relations Officer – Maeyah Soberano
Parliamentarian – Christian Ramos
Sergeant at Arms – Lidio Fullo
Historian – Jiliane Oliveros
BKHS is looking to resume active involvement after a challenging two years of little to no in-person events after the breakout of Covid-19. With a new fresh set of officers in place for the upcoming semester, BKHS is preparing for a new beginning. The honor society intends to work with a variety of programs and community groups around the island to further our university’s and community’s goals. “ I’m planning on suggesting a lot of fun activities such as volunteering for GAIN,” Newly elected Historian of Fall 2022 Jiliane Oliveros said. “I would love for us to volunteer and help out fur babies and ease up the workload for the employees.”
Not only does BKHS value community engagement, but it also wants to see its members flourish. “As Vice President, my main goal for the Blue Keys Honor Society is to not only aid my fellow society members, but to build upon and grow in the four pillars of scholarship, leadership, character, and service, but also to help each and every one of us thrive as well,” New elected vice President of Fall 2022 Jean Bactad said. “I would like to additionally enhance the society’s image by showcasing and highlighting our members for their accomplishments and involvement in the community, as I believe that the members of this organization are the foundation of the society”.
Bactad’s plans for BKHS are not limited to what she hopes to achieve with the organization, as she aims to create and pursue more goals in the future.
BKHS recognizes and rewards its members’ many achievements. Intellectual curiosity with a desire to learn, modeling a significant pattern of leadership that contributes to the institution’s student and campus life, service to the community and citizenship, expressing humility through moral character and integrity, and a strong sense of faith in word and deed are among the special qualities of Blue Key members as they model service to others.
“Students should join BKHS as it would enable them to inspire other generations that is possible to be a good person and maintain academic excellence while showcasing positive leaders with significant involvement in serving their community,” Bactad said.
BKHS is the only honor society at UOG that embraces students from all majors with the same objective of volunteering and leadership in the community. BKHS has partnered with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Animal Rescue Groups, homeless shelters, and the Guam Department of Education, and has begun holding beach cleanups.
This article was written as an assignment for CO-226: Media Writing.