LAHS National Art Honor Society members Geoff Phillips, left, and Sam McIntyre use their artistic talents to draw on the paper tablecloths provided for that purpose. Courtesy photo

By Maire O’Neill

Jemez Valley artist Betsie Miller-Kusz was the guest speaker at an induction ceremony Dec. 7 for 34 new Los Alamos High School members of the National Art Honor Society.

Miller-Kusz was born in Los Alamos and lived and painted in San Francisco, Calif., for many years. She has exhibited internationally and painted many public murals.

The society is designed specifically for high school students in grades nine through 12 and strives to aid members in attaining the highest standards in art scholarship, character, and service, and to bring art education to the attention of the school and the community.

The ceremony and subsequent reception were coordinated by fine and performing arts department chair Mary Grace and video production/photo teacher Cecily Merrill. New members pledged that through their talents in art, they would help create a more beautiful world for themselves, humankind and for all living things.

President Cody Aikin gave the society’s charge to the new members, which reads “Take of the world its colors and forms, its lines and textures, its balances and spaces; combine all these into a beautiful statement of what it is to be human. Give back to the world the same elements of beauty that you as an artist take from it. Create splendor in the world with your talents and your living.”

More than 100 people attended the event.

From left, Sam McIntyre, Cecily Merrill and Aislinn McDonald participate in the induction ceremony. Courtesy photo

From left, Los Alamos NAHS Chapter President Cody Aikin and members Hailey Gallegos and Sabria Hankins watch as fellow students are inducted into the society. Courtesy photo