News : The lesson of \'217 steps\' shared at NHS induction

Two hundred and seventeen steps.
That's how far it is from the home of the Vinton-Shellsburg National Honor Society President Meghan Owens to the home of retired Appeals Court Judge Van Zimmer.
As Owens introduced Judge Zimmer during the NHS induction Tuesday evening, she told the audience that she counted the steps from her house to Zimmer's. She also told the audience that she'd lived for many years not knowing the interesting story of the man who lived only 217 steps away.

Zimmer, a 1965 graduate of Washington High School who became a lawyer, District Judge and then an Appeals Court Judge, told the students to explore many career options in their early years of college.
"Take different kinds of classes. Volunteer for different things," he said, telling the students that the key to happiness is finding a job they enjoy.
Zimmer also told the students about courage, citing decisions from the Iowa Supreme Court from more than a century ago as examples. He told the audience that on July 4, 1839, the high court of the Iowa terrority refused to order a slave returned to his master in Missouri. Also in the 19th Century, the court ruled that a mixed race person had the right to eat in a restaurant with white people, that women had the same right to practice law as men, and that mixed race marriages were legal. Those decisions, he said, were unpopular at the time, but the courts had the courage to do the right thing. He urged the students to have that same courage in standing for what they believe is right.
Zimmer also warned the students to be careful in college, to not let the sudden freedom lead them to choices that can harm them in the future. He urged them to be careful about what they post on Facebook pages, and to realize the power of technology to harm people on a global scale. He also warned them to think twice before getting a tattoo.
The judge told the audience to strive to be cooperative, consistent contributors at their workplace. He also urged the students to be curious, to recognize the difference between fact and opinion, and to try new things. He said one of the highlight of his younger days was bicyling through several states and from the Grand Canyon to Mexico.
Zimmer was also a member of the NSH as a Vinton high school student. He told the audience that in his day, they informed students of their selection to NSH by bringing them together for an assembly and have a teacher tap the honorees on the shoulder.
"I was hoping to be tapped on the shoulder," said Zimmer. "I was very pleased and proud to be selected."
After Zimmer finished speaking, Owens spoke directly to her fellow students in the audience.
"There are a lot of interesting people in small towns. Maybe someday you will be that person living 217 steps away," she said.

Service, Leadership, Scholarship and Citizenship
The NHS induction ceremony includes candles representing the four characteristics of NHS: Service, leadership, scholarship and citizenship. NHS officers Shelby Beyer, Brian Fischer and Allison Emrich, along with Executive Committee members Katherine Dick, Megan Jorgensen and Nicole Thompson joine President Owens in the ceremony. Mrs. Marsha Furlong is the VS NHS advisor.
Principal Kirk Johnson and Guidance Counselor Sandy Hamilton presented the new members their certificates. Current members escorted the new members onto the stage as they were introduced. 2010-2011 VINTON-SHELLSBURG NHS MEMBERS Current members: Amy Andrews, Shelby Beyer, Matthew Blake, Ashley Boyer, Katherine Dick, Allison Emrich, Brian Fischer, Troy Hallberg, Alexander Jessen, Megan Jorgensen, Dalton Lebeda, Alvin Long, Wesley Lyons, Alex McGee, Meghan Owens, Jenna Relf, Nicole Thompson, Logan Williams. New Seniors: Marissa Eldred, Caitlin Loney, Ben Stainbrook, Ian Storey. New Juniors: Cassandra Alderson, Natasha Becker, Haley Bird, Katie Boddicker, Trevor Brown, Emma Clingman, Clare Cooling, Abigail Darland, Karissa Davis, Nolan Edwards, Jared Gosse, Logan Halstead, Kristin Henderson, Emma Horst, Kami Kirchner, Victoria Kramer, Stephanie Lash, Chelsie Lensch, Annie Meyer, Jacob Milroy, Elizabeth Moen, Tess Noeller, Elle Osborne, Danisha Pladsen, Alex Springer, Madeline Springer, Summer Stephenson, Mackenzie Stueck, Gunner Tranel, Matthew Walston and Ryan Webster.