Recapping the Honor Code Chapel

This year, 8^th grade student, Megan Keller was our representative.  While hearing her speak, I was immediately impressed by her words, so much so that afterwards I asked her for an electronic copy. So, here are Megan’s words… hopefully they inspire all of us to continue to live life in the middle, as our honor code demands, with honesty, integrity and respect.

 

Good morning.  My name is Megan Keller and I’m in 8th grade.  We hear the word “honor” frequently in our daily lives.  “Honor Council”, “National Honor Society”, “Honor Roll”, and “Honor Guard” are some of the most common uses at school. “Your Honor”, “Honor Your Mother and Father” or “Honor our Troops” are phrases mostly heard outside this campus.  Most people would say that “honor” is respect that is given to someone who is admired or has a good reputation and high moral standards of behavior.  Each person has their own way of displaying honor or an honor code. At Palmer Trinity School we recite our Honor Code at almost every convocation.  This code sets the expectation for everything we do in our community. From how we take our tests and quizzes, or do our homework, down to how you treat your peers, your teachers, your family, and how we conduct ourselves in general.

There is a saying - “better honor than honors”.  Essentially, this means that it is better to be honorable than to have people give you accolades.  For example, it is more important to have honor than to have people talking about you in an honorable way, like when someone gets the highest grade on a test in the class, but had to cheat to do it, or if someone says in a tone of admiration “she’s on the honor council” but that council member doesn’t actually live up to those expectations and ideals when outside the watchful eyes of the school community.   

To me, honor is something that should be expressed in everything you do.  There are some people who think if you aren’t being watched, you can break whatever rules you want and it doesn’t matter.  Adults often tell kids “Do the right thing even when no one is looking.”  That applies to anything and everything you do.  Honor is about being loyal, honest, trustworthy, and respectful.  Anyone with these characteristics expects others to have the same qualities and behave in the same way.  Honor is about acting with these characteristics without being asked or noticed.  Doing so will usually get someone else’s attention which can result in changes to their attitudes and conduct.  If you make someone’s day by being honorable, they might adjust their behavior and try to have their peers act that way as well.  This should be our collective goal.  Thank you and have a great day.