As a successful season of the National Honor Society (NHS) comes to an end, students and families joined together May 22 for the annual induction ceremony. This festive event celebrated the accomplishments of new and current members, and students who had completed their required service hours received membership certificates to recognize their hard work.
NHS advisor Lindsey Meyer said the induction of new members and appointment of new leaders ushers in an exciting era for the organization, driven by the passion and vision of those taking on leadership roles.
“I always get excited every year for the new ideas the new officers bring,” Meyer said. “We got so many fresh ideas in (officer) applications this year for changes to make next year, or ways to make communication better or projects that we can do, and that passion and initiative provide such good energy coming into the next season.”
Future President Celia Slattengren said, as a new leader, she hopes to incorporate lessons from current feedback and former leaders to maximize engagement and enjoyment among NHS members.
“I’m trying to take all the feedback possible, so I can apply it next year and make sure everyone can have a great experience,” Slattengren said. “This year’s officers did such a great job, and I want to be able to keep the association as organized and put together as they did, and continue to make it like something that so many people can participate in and enjoy.”
According to Vice President Alex Driver, the NHS’s emphasis on communication and teamwork allows students to challenge themselves by requiring them to talk and interact with people outside their usual circles.
“Being part of NHS forces you to interact with many different types of people and get to know people from school that you wouldn’t normally talk to, or that you wouldn’t normally know,” Driver said. “I’ve also been able to meet so many great people at various events that I’ve attended that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to meet, which I’m really grateful for.”
Meyer said choosing new leaders is often based on prospective students’ sincerity regarding their motivation to participate in NHS. According to her, students who showcase strong intrapersonal skills, such as communication and sociability, as well as a clear passion for service, are the ones who succeed as leaders.
“We really look for people who are extremely service-minded for the sake of doing good, rather than just to check boxes,” Meyer said. “I would also say that people who are really inclusive, people who do not just stick in their group or in their small circle of friends, but people who are willing to reach out to different people and groups. It’s really hard to communicate information to 300 people, so the more we can have people who are warm and friendly and willing to talk to new people, the more efficient our channels of communication get.”
Driver said NHS presents a unique opportunity for students to give back to their communities. She said one of her favorite experiences during her NHS membership was donating her time back to places she valued during her childhood, something she believes students of all backgrounds can benefit from.
“Being a member of NHS is a really rewarding experience that I think anyone would benefit from,” Driver said. “The feeling of giving back to your community that supported you while you were growing up is really fulfilling, regardless of your personal interests or experiences.”
Meyer said seeing students volunteer at events like Biztown—a program where high schoolers mentor elementary students as they run a pretend business—brings a strong sense of pride to the Park community. She said these experiences not only give high schoolers a sense of accomplishment but also leave a lasting impression on younger students and inspire future generations at Park.
“I went to Biztown this year, and I got to see all of these high schoolers being such good influences to these elementary school students, which creates such a strong sense of pride for Park,” Meyer said. “All these younger kids see these older kids who are being great leaders and role models, and I think it makes high schoolers feel proud of the work they do, which formalizes the good we can do with NHS.”
According to Slattengren, NHS has a significant impact on how students navigate learning, as the dedication and genuine interest required for success require more work and ambition than simply applying oneself academically. She said NHS also allows students to find unique ways to nurture their own passions, something that is often challenging to find in a school environment.
“Being a part of NHS allows you to go further than just applying yourself in school,” Slattengren said. “The fact that you have to take extra time out of your day to participate forces you to have a stronger commitment to it, and since it’s an extracurricular and not school, you can find ways to engage with it where it’s more specific to your interests and what you’re passionate about.”
