The Octorara Area School District inducted three new members into the Octorara Hall of Fame during a ceremony held on Oct. 3 at Octorara Junior-Senior High School. The inductees were award-winning author and journalist Kristina Marusic from the Class of 2002; Jordan Ricci from the Class of 2001, who works in the Intelligence Community in support of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the White House; and Lt. Col. John Knox from the Class of 1975, a retired decorated military officer.

Welcoming attendees to the 33rd annual induction ceremony was Stowe Wilson, senior class president. "Each year, we hold the ceremony to celebrate the graduates who have left their mark on our school and community," she said. "These Octorara graduates are setting a powerful example through their achievements. Those being honored today were once students like us. Let this be a reminder that each of us is offered the same opportunities for success."

Marusic, who was introduced by student Annalisa Griffiths, is an author and investigative reporter whose writing has received recognition and awards from the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Association of Health Care Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania and others. She is the author of "A New War on Cancer: The Unlikely Heroes Revolutionizing Prevention."

Marusic encouraged the students to try different jobs, noting that she previously worked in Taiwan for a year teaching English and was an assistant for a lawyer. "My first piece of journalism was with MTV News, and I started working as a freelance journalist while I was also working full time doing communications for a start-up," she said. "It took me about three years to make investigative reporting my full-time job."

She has written for CNN Women's Health and the Washington Post, has appeared on television and on podcasts and has given talks to many groups, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency. "It's OK if you're graduating this year and you still have no idea what you want to do for a job," she told the students. "You should go out and try some stuff and learn as much as you can about whatever interests you the most. Start doing what you can to make the world a better place and have some big adventures because experiencing the world more will help you find your way."

Student Bridget Whitfield introduced Ricci, who talked about his career working in Washington, D.C. "I have been an intelligence officer at the Department of Treasury with stops at the White House situation room during the Obama administration and at the office of the Director of National Intelligence, which is where I currently am," he shared. "I've represented the U.S. government everywhere from Brazil to Saudi Arabia, Colombia to Kuwait, Pakistan to Belgium, Tampa to Denver and Afghanistan to Germany."

He also offered students advice. "Be curious. Go see the world. Do things. Experience things. Say yes. Travel. Ask questions. Put your phone down and look around," he said. "If you go to a class or a meeting with the mentality that you are not the smartest person in the room - even if you are - you will be better for it, I promise."

Student Brayden Remphrey introduced Knox, who spoke about one phrase from the Declaration of Independence. "One aspect of it I want to talk to you about is pursuit of happiness. That's what your time here in high school should be the foundation for - deciding how you want to pursue happiness," he told the students. "It's much more fun and rewarding to spend the next 50 years doing something you like rather doing something you need to."

He said students may also consider a career in the military. "After graduation, if you don't get that job you wanted, you have to have backup plan, and one backup plan might be military. Any type of civilian job out there - law enforcement, medical, nutrition, mechanics - is (available)," he stated. "You'll be paid as if you are trained while you train, and you get three hots and a cot."

Principal Jonathan Propper also offered closing remarks, encouraging students to be inspired by the inductees. "These inductees were once sitting where you are now," he said. "Their success came not overnight but through perseverance, through courage and the willingness to dream big."

The Octorara Senior High School band and chorus were also on hand at the event to perform the school's alma mater and "The Star-Spangled Banner."