HonorSociety.org Recognizes Mayor of Los Angeles as Honorary Member.

Mr. Antonio Villaraigosa was inducted as an honorary member at an HonorSociety.org event on May 15, 2014 at the UCLA James West Alumni Center. Mr. Villaraigosa served as the 41st Mayor of Los Angeles, California from 2005 to 2013. He was the third Mexican American to have served as Mayor of Los Angeles, and the first in over 130 years. Mr. Villaraigosa was featured on the cover of Newsweek, and in Time 's story on the country's 25 most influential Latinos. Upon being presented with the HonorSociety.org honorary member certificate, Mr. Villaraigosa said "I accept it with gratitude and I wish you all the best of luck."

The speech was the capstone of an eventful evening showcasing leaders in education, government and social roles. Speaking to the HonorSociety.org members, Mr. Villaraigosa said, "I'd like to congratulate the honor society members. I know that you didn't just get there because you're smart. You got there because you worked hard. You got there because you were disciplined. You got there because you were will to do a little extra, if you will."

Touching on civic responsibility, Mr. Villaraigosa urged HonorSociety.org members to be active participants in their community, saying, "Don't forget that you have a responsibility to the community around you. Use that intelligence, that hard work, that discipline that brought you here to change the word--to make it better. To be the difference that you hope for in the world that you live in."

When Mr. Villaraigosa was asked to contrast his college experience to the current student experience, he said, "Young people are optimistic and hopeful. They have a sense of the possible. There's an idealism about them that I think is very similar to what we had back then, and I think that's why going on a college campus and talking to young people is so inspiring. Because they're not cynical yet. They still believe they can change the world. I'm 61 and I still believe I can change the world so we have something in common." Furthering the discussion be touching on the college campus, Mr. Villaraigosa added, "There's something about that college campus, the world of ideas, the passion that comes with wanting to make a difference, that if you keep the burning alive it will be the motor behind the real success that comes with impacting the lives of others."

When discussing the importance of being in an honor society and being recognized for academic achievement, Mr. Villaraigosa said, "I think it's important for young people, when they've worked hard, when they've attained a level of success, if you will, to be acknowledged and recognized for that. I think that's important, that's true for all of us. I'm here in no small part to congratulate these young people, to say keep it up, to say that you ought to use these skills, this education, discipline and hard work to continue to change the world."

As a final message, the former mayor of Los Angeles, encouraged members to be proud of their accomplishments, but also focusing on making a difference for others, saying, "As you revel in this success, and you should revel in it-- be proud of it-- remember that you have a higher purpose. To whom much has been given, much is expected, and I would hope that you would use this talent, that you would use the skills and the discipline and hard work, and put it to the service of others."

About Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Antonio Villaraigosa served as the 41st Mayor of Los Angeles, California from 2005 to 2013. Prior to being elected Mayor he was a member of the California State Assembly from 1994 to 2000, the Democratic leader of the Assembly from 1996 to 1998, and the Speaker of the California State Assembly from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Villaraigosa has also served as the national co-chairman of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, a member of President Barack Obama's Transition Economic Advisory Board, and Chairman of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in September 2012. He was the third Mexican American to have served as Mayor of Los Angeles, and the first in over 130 years. Mr. Villaraigosa was featured on the cover of Newsweek, and in Time 's story on the country's 25 most influential Latinos. Mr. Villaraigosa was also one of ten mayors from North America to be short-listed as a finalist for the 2008 World Mayor Award.

About HonorSociety.org

HonorSociety.org is an organization dedicated to recognizing and rewarding student success, as well as empowering students to achieve and reach their highest potential. Membership benefits include exclusive privileges, networking opportunities, discounts and national recognition. The organization also annually distributes thousands of dollars in scholarships.