12/12/2025
Dr. Deer’s message: Four pillars for life
In her keynote speech, Dr. Deer walked students through the four pillars of the National Elementary Honor Society, Scholarship, Responsibility, Leadership, and Service, connecting each one to real experiences from her own career and community work.
Scholarship, she told students, is fueled by curiosity and a love of learning, not just high grades. She spoke about her pursuit of higher education, including her bachelor’s and MBA degrees, and how learning propelled her into national service and recognition.
Responsibility, she emphasized, is doing the right thing “even when no one is watching,” whether in school, at home, or in public life.
Leadership, she said, is not about titles but about listening, inspiring others, and leading with integrity, skills she developed while serving in government and in nonprofit leadership.
Service, the final pillar, reflects the heart of her mission. “Helping others without expecting anything in return,” she noted, is how communities are strengthened and futures are transformed.
Her address challenged students to remain disciplined, compassionate, and confident in their abilities as future leaders.
Some 17 students at PenTab Academy in Miami Gardens were inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) last Wednesday.
