GHS National Honor Society
The National Honor Society, established in 1921, is continuing its immaculate reputation at the Gifft Hill School by only inviting students to join who are excellent scholars, great leaders, and are dedicated to serving others.
For the second year in a row the club is trying to reach out to others, and to get the community involved. With such an exceptional assemblage of students and an involved and caring community, this group is sure to be successful in its goal to serve.
This year’s National Honor Society president, Rachel Kitchen, is trying to keep up the tradition of group members being involved in the community alive.
“Each member has to contribute 20 hours of community service, and they must also be involved in the chapter project,” said Kitchen.
Individual community service must be done by the end of the year or expulsion from the program may occur. Volunteer work this year includes tutoring, babysitting, and volunteering at various non-profit groups such as the Safety Zone and the Humane Society.
“It’s a great way for students to get out in the community and show they care,” said Kitchen.
Chapter projects are a major part of being involved in NHS. To maintain an NHS chapter at any school a project must be accomplished by the chapter each year.
Last year, students at GHS collected books to donate to a school in Ghana, with the goal of the program to eventually connect both schools.
“It was a really good project,” said Megan Miller, last year’s NHS president.
This year’s chapter project is a clothes drive.
“Our goal is to collect clothes and donate them to the Salvation Army in St. Thomas,” said Kitchen.
Drop off boxes will be located at the school and at Connections. All community members are urged to bring in old clothes for less fortunate community members.
The clothes drive will start in the near future, so check at Connections for the box. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated.
Although NHS may mean giving up some weekend and after school hours, members speak highly of the group and the impact it has had on them.
“NHS is not only about giving to others but growing as an individual,” said Kitchen. “It has made me realize the good a group of students can do on a community.”
“It was a really positive experience,” said Miller, who is now at Davidson College in North Carolina and is still committed to serving others.
Miller is involved in a program in which money is sent to help students in Uganda. NHS seems to have a lasting affect on its members — not only in high school — but also in life.
Interested in starting or joining the National Honor Society? Students must have a B average and NHS takes into account scholarship, leadership, citizenship, character and service.
More information for starting or finding a local chapter can be found on www.nhs.us. Do not forget high school students — building your resumé begins now. By joining groups such as the NHS, colleges will be impressed with students’ academic and extra curricular career.
