They are strong, responsible student leaders -- and the first ever in Wareham to be inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society.

Twenty-six fifth-graders and three fourth-grade students took their pledge and entered the honor society at the John W. Decas Elementary School on February 8. It is the first chapter of the society in the area.

"We're going this is the start of their whole honor society career," said Decas Elementary Principal Christine Panarese.

The students were chosen by Panarese and their classroom teachers. Membership in the society is based on academic achievement and the students' character, citizenship, and cooperation.

Students must demonstrate four very important qualities -- scholarship, responsibility, service, and leadership.

Rose Roustrom said she was "happy and excited" to be a new member of the honor society.

Roustrom isn't sure what she'd like to do for a career when she grows up, but the bright, well-spoken fifth-grader likely has many options because when it comes to school, she likes "basically all of it."

Beaming fifth-grader Connor Walsh also said he was "excited" to be among the inductees. After all, "it's the first year!" he said.

Walsh already has an idea of what he'd like to pursue for a career.

"I want to be an athletic person," he said. Which sport? "Baseball."

Walsh said his favorite subject in school is English Language Arts -- writing, to be specific.

"I was really excited," Emma Fitzgerald said of finding out she'd be among the chapter's first inductees.

One of just three fourth-grade students entering the society at Decas, Fitzgerald said her favorite activity in school is "probably writing."

She likes to write "stories that I make up," she noted. "It's more exciting!"

Students had to meet strict achievement requirements based on MCAS scores ("proficient" and 85% or above), grade point averages, and homework scores, Panarese said.

Excitement was shown on all of the students' faces as teachers Erin Higgins and Patricia Miller lit candles the students held and then blew out to symbolize their induction to the honor society.

The students then took the National Elementary Honor Society pledge and received a certificate and seal of acceptance.

In asking the students to share their gifts and talents with their peers and the community, Panarese told them: "When one candle lights another, it is not diminished."