In 1986 at a high school in South Carolina, the first group of students was inducted into the National Technical Honors Society.  The organization was founded by teachers who wanted to recognize the top career and technical students for their achievements.  If you look closely at the logo for NTHS, you’ll see a plumb used by contractors to symbolize stability and an eagle for strength.  Surrounding the eagle are seven stars for each of the attributes that our Breithaupt NTHS inductees embody:  leadership, scholarship, skills, honesty, citizenship, service and responsibility.  Today our students join an esteemed group of NTHS members who have been raising the bar in industry and education for thirty-seven years.

George Washington Carver said, “There is no shortcut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation - veneer isn't worth anything.”  The students here today have spent countless hours preparing to be successful in their fields.  They’ve learned to safely operate a torch, honed their knife skills, become experts at communicating with customers, and mastered the skills of their chosen trade.  Their instructors have worked with them to not only master these physical skills, but have helped them learn that customer service and responsibility are as important as knowing how to do the jobs they are training to have.  They haven’t just glossed over these important topics, they have lived them for three hours each day as young professionals here at Breithaupt Career and Technical Center.  They haven’t taken shortcuts, but have done the work to receive this honor today.

We know this hard work will lead to their eventual success.  As a school community we have watched their self-confidence grow and their pride in a job well done shines from their smiles as they show off their hard work.  It has been said, “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” Arthur Ashe knew that his preparation on the tennis court would lead to his winning three grand slam tennis titles, but our students’ hard work and confidence will lead them to success both in their chosen career path, and their personal lives.  Our Breithaupt family is so proud to honor their hard work and achievement here today.