National Honor Society elects new officers

Adviser, new officers speak about plans for next year

Sophie Olmen

Juniors Thomas Bryant, Mahamed Mahamed, Eli Curran-Moore and Ella Trotter present their speeches for NHS officer positions at the meeting on Mar. 10.

When upcoming junior National Honor Society vice president Ella Trotter heard about officer applications for next school year, she quickly applied because of her interest in service.

“I really liked the volunteering opportunities the club requirements force me to do, so I want other people to experience that, and I want to be involved in it and make it more efficient and effective,” Trotter said.

According to National Honor Society (NHS) adviser Jill Merkle, the current officers consider a range of criterion when selecting the officers for next year.

“(The candidates) all fill out applications. They need two teacher recommendations (and) they came in for about a 15 minute interview,” Merkle said. “Then they gave their speeches, and we had the whole NHS vote on the candidates they thought would serve them best.”

Merkle said she and the officers looked for dependability and enthusiasm about service in the candidates.

“We look for people that are organized and responsible, but one thing we’ve really loved seeing is people that really want to mold NHS into something that feels more important,” Merkle said.

Upcoming junior NHS historian Mahamed Mahamed said he wanted the role because the job requirements suit him best.

“My number one choice was historian. I feel like I’m more effective in that position, to keep track of things and log it,” Mahamed said.

Merkle said she hopes NHS becomes meaningful and an important club to the members next year.

“I hope that (NHS) can be a group people are excited about and excited to be apart of,” Merkle said. “It seems like the officers are really passionate about creating opportunities for people to volunteer where it’s not ju
st a chore, but something they feel strongly about.”

Trotter said she wants to see changes made to the way NHS currently runs.

“(I would like) shorter meetings and (changing) what we do at the meetings like (right now) we don’t do anything,” Trotter said. “We can actually do cool stuff, like we could bring in speakers or show them how to get involved (and) have better opportunities.”