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From left: Joseph Sobieralski, Jack Jubar, Madelyn Kenyon
LHS’s secret International Order of Royal Flamingos — not so secret now
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — High school offers a student an opportunity to be involved in a variety of activities and organizations. One of those organizations at Ludington High School, maybe not known to many, is the International Order of Royal Flamingos. Those who know, know. And now you’ll know too.
This morning three LHS students became the latest inductees into the Order. The induction ceremony — and the Order itself — happens within the walls of the classroom of civics and economics teacher Amber Nasson. The inductees are recognized for creating what Nasson calls “a-ha” statements as a result of reading and writing about topical papers related to economics and civics.
This morning’s particular ceremony took place during one of Nasson’s economics classes when Joseph Sobieralski, Jack Jubar and Madelyn Kenyon became the newest Flamingos. The three inductees still haven’t perfected the one-leg stand, which is a tell-tale way to identify the Order of Royal Flamingo members (in addition to the flashy pink pen).
“Several years ago I attended an economics conference and one of the programs I attended talked about the “a-ha” moment, when students are researching a topic and are able to take away the connection and impact to the subject, in this case, economics,” Nasson said. “The professor would recognize his students by inducting them in a special organization. It’s just kind of a silly thing to do and it’s basically just for fun.”
Students in Nasson’s classes are assigned three research articles and have to write about the connection to the course subject. Sobieralski wrote about the economic impact of the French bulldog and the health risks and costs of breeding a dog that has deficiencies. Jubar wrote about the history of water usage in California and Kenyon wrote about Apple’s patent issues with the Apple Watch.
Junior Carter Grant is a member of the Order and said while his induction hasn’t been life changing, it certainly gives him incentive to strive to achieve more academic success in Nasson’s classes.
“It’s an incentive to try to do better in the class,” he said. “It gives you something to work toward knowing that you may get selected. Plus, it’s just pretty fun.”
Nasson said a few years ago a homecoming court candidate even listed membership of the Order in her biography.
“It’s kind of fun because most outside of the class know what it’s about,” Nasson said.
Each inductee receives a certificate and a special flamingo pen. This year, Nasson received a grant of $100 from the Community Foundation for Mason County’s Youth Advisory Council to pay for the pens. The mission of the MCYAC is to promote youth as philanthropists by engaging them in grant making and community service opportunities. The council consists of Mason County teens.
“It was nice to receive the funds to help pay for the pens,” Nasson said. “My goal is to make learning fun and also to inspire the students.”
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