At 7 p.m. Wednesday evening, National Honors Society (NHS) inducted its 2019-20 class of rising seniors. NHS currently has about 130 seniors, all of whom met the Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement of 3.3 and received invitation letters last spring.
NHS sponsor Stephanie Harman said the group’s application process includes multiple steps. Yesterday’s induction included 180 junior applicants, all of whom met NHS requirements.
“During the application process, they are asked about their leadership and service history,” she said. “If there are no known character issues, those applicants are then inducted into NHS.”
Junior and incoming NHS member Leela Cullity applied for NHS for what she characterizes as its prestigious reputation. She knew about NHS at the beginning of her high school career and joined without hesitation.
“I decided to join NHS because I’ve known it as a well-established institution that honors those who have worked hard throughout their high school career,” Cullity said. “I felt grateful to be given the opportunity to even apply for such an institution.”
Harman said NHS members go on to pursue jobs in a variety of fields. Membership in NHS encompasses group activities and community service.
“Membership in NHS is an honor that is bestowed on students of outstanding scholarship, leadership, and character who have a commitment to serving others,” Harman said. “NHS alumni can be found in nearly every career you can name.”
Senior Kavin Anand, graduating NHS president, advises incoming members to branch out within the group. He said he gained lifelong wisdom through his experience in NHS.
“As president I learned valuable leadership skills taught me how to organize meetings, coordinate service projects, and host major events like the induction ceremony,” Anand said. “The advice I have for incoming seniors is to try and get involved as much as possible, and explore all the officer-led service projects as they’re all unique and will give you different exposures.”
Cullity hopes to pick up similar skills. She said she wants to become an effective collaborator with accomplishments outside of her curricular activities.
“I hope to effectively collaborate with my peers within the organization,” Cullity said. “And accomplish a lot through volunteering in our community with NHS.”