Literary Quill & Scroll Honor Society

“I do pledge myself to do all in my power to work for the advancement of my community, to be loyal to my superiors, to live up to the ideals of true journalism, and to be impartial in my interpretation of the truth.”
 

International Quill and Scroll was organized April 10, 1926, by a group of high school advisers for the purpose of encouraging and recognizing individual student achievement in journalism and scholastic publication. Membership in Literary Quill and Scroll requires a student to be in the upper third of his/her class for the year of election, as well as having demonstrated superior achievement in journalism.

The following is taken from the induction ceremony:

            Journalism is far reaching in its aims. Its followers carry obligations to society, so tonight we light the candle of truth, symbolic of our aims and aspirations for the world in which we live and that finer world of tomorrow toward which we strive.

            The light of truth signifies sincerity in character, action, and speech. It is the duty of Quill and Scroll members to take an active part in the search for truth by maintaining a high standard for journalistic ethics. From the light of truth, Quill and Scroll first took its ideals in 1926 when it was organized.

            From the light of truth come the remaining characteristics of journalistic endeavor: Learning, Leadership, Loyalty, Initiative, Judgment, Friendship, and especially Integrity. Integrity is to a journalist what honor is to a soldier or probity is to a judge. A free press could not exist without this ingredient in the character of its editors and reporters. It is inviolate and must be, if democracy is to survive and flourish.