An incentive for getting good grades is more than just making an impressive report card. Students who are serious about schooling and grades may be inducted into the National Honor Society advised by Mrs. Pompelia who has been in charge of the NHS program for the past thirteen years. Those who demonstrate excellence in character, scholarship, leadership, and service may be chosen to join the group.
Students who are able to maintain a 3.70 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA) through the first and second quarter of the junior or senior year are eligible to be inducted. Academic success isn’t the only attribute taken into consideration; the character of the student is also examined by faculty including the NHS committee before a decision is made. The approximate 75 students inducted this year will join the ranks of about 70 students who are already part of the organization.
Newly inducted junior, Emily Echard, is poised to become the secretary next year. “I am honored to be a part of the National Honor Society,” she said. I am grateful to be the secretary of this prestigious group.” Echard appreciated that the officers were installed during the actual ceremony. “I don’t think that any other group in the high school makes getting a position that special where it is shared with family, friends, and faculty members,” she said.
“We have a lot of service opportunities that can actually be kind of fun to get involved with, and get to know other students, and just to be leader within this school,” Mrs. Pompelia stated. Aside from the tutoring, fundraising, and drives, there are plenty of chances to get in a few service hours. Students can also participate in helping out at the elementary school Quiz Bowl, working at Overly’s, or volunteer work in the community.
Once in NHS members are expected to acquire at least 20 service hours through participation in various activities that uphold the standards of character, scholarship, leadership, and service.
A few of these activities include tutoring students in the senior or junior high during study halls or after school on Wednesdays at the elementary schools through the Study Buddy program. Members can also volunteer at the food bank.Recently members could have volunteered at the rebuilding of Playland at Legion Keener.
In the past NHS has raised funds for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and also collected toys for needy children at Christmas. Senior Bryce Kramer appreciated having the opportunity to share his compassion with the less fortunate of the community. “ My favorite project was when we helped raise money and donate gifts for two little kids to give them a full Christmas,” said Kramer.
Another activity that NHS members partake in for the last 30 years is the annual spring field trip. Recently, the members of the class of 2013 chose to go to Chicago for their cultural excursion. The students were rewarded for their hard work throughout their high school careers by spending time in another city. While there they attended a Bull’s game, went to various restaurants and other tourist attractions like the Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, Museum of Science and Industry, Hancock Tower and much more in the “Windy City.”
The organization is designed to help out with more than just a student’s resume. “We’ve certainly had students that just join to put it on their resume,” Mrs. Pompelia admitted.“I like to think of it as just more of an opportunity by being a member, not as a resume builder,” she added.
Bryce Kramer believes that he benefits from NHS. “You get a lot more community involvement and you get to help people out,” he said.
While acknowledging that the program looks nice on an application, Mrs. Pompelia said she hopes the students will take away the satisfaction of helping others more than the desire to look good on a piece of paper. “To me it’s an opportunity for students to be encouraged to develop those qualities that they have of leadership and service,” Mrs. Pompelia concluded.
