Scholarship
...the candle of scholarship, gold because it is a treasure no one can take from you.  Scholarship knows the past, learns from the present, and plans for the future.  May this flame ignite the spirit of all who attend this ceremony to seek to know the right from wrong, truth from untruth, and justice from injustice.

Character
Character's color is blue because blue symbolizes truth and loyalty.  It is achieved, not received.  Loyalty to moral principles is the only way it can be established and truth is its only foundation.  He who would have character must look toward heaven's blue, not on Earth's stumbling stones.  The person with character bears up, despite obstacles or public opinion, remaining steadfast in courage, honesty, and charity.

Leadership
The green candle...represents leadership.  It is green because green is the symbol of hope--our hope for the future that you will carry on the struggle for right, peace, justice, truth, and a better world--not for segments or special groups--but for the brotherhood of man. Leadership thinks more of the group than himself.

Service
...the rose candle symbolizes service.  Service can be expressed in various ways.  In the routine of the day's work, many opportunities arise to help others.  Willingness to work without monetary compensation or without recognition for the benefit of those in need is the quality we seek in membership. NHS is committed to the idea of volunteering one's time and abilities to the creation of a better tomorrow.