National Honor Society

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Advisors: Ms. DelPreore and Ms. Domick

Dear NHS Families,

As we head into summer break, this is an excellent time for students who may be candidates for the National Honor Society to begin accumulating community service hours. Junior candidates invited to apply in spring 2026 will need a minimum of 40 hours of documented community service.

Summer provides flexible scheduling opportunities for meaningful volunteer work. Here are some local places where high school students can typically find volunteer opportunities:

Community Organizations:

Public libraries (reading programs, book sorting, computer assistance)
Local food banks and soup kitchens
Animal shelters and rescue organizations
Senior centers and nursing homes

Faith-Based Options:

Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship
Religious community outreach programs
Faith-based food pantries and clothing drives

Educational and Youth Services:

Summer camps and recreation programs
Tutoring younger students
Vacation Bible schools
Youth sports leagues

Environmental and Community Improvement:

Park clean-up projects
Community gardens
Local environmental organizations
Neighborhood beautification efforts

Healthcare and Social Services:

Hospitals (check age requirements)
Rehabilitation centers
Local non-profit organizations
Special needs support programs

Students should keep detailed records of their volunteer hours, including dates, locations, activities, and supervisor contact information. This documentation will be essential for the NHS application process.

If you have questions about qualifying volunteer activities or the NHS application process, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Best regards,

Jennifer DelPreore

Sarah Domick

NHS Advisors

What is NHS?

"To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire

to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop

character in the students of secondary schools."

- NHS Constitution

NHS is more than just a good grades. It serves to honor students who have demonstrated excellence in many important areas including scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Since 1921 students all over the country have been participating in NHS.

How do I get into NHS? The basics...

Step 1- Keep your grades up! Students don't join NHS, they are invited to apply the spring of their junior year. Your unweighted GPA must be a 90.0 or higher. If it is, you will be invited to APPLY. Applying to NHS does NOT guarantee entrance.

Step 2- Be involved in your community! You must be able to document a minimum of 40 hours of community service BEFORE you apply. Those students who cannot document 40 hours of community service will NOT have their applications considered. Beginning with the Class of 2026, the minimum documented community service hours was increased from 25 to 40. Junior candidates invited to apply in spring 2025 will need a minimum of 40 hours of community service before applying.

Step 3- Be respectful and responsible! Character is an important element of an NHS member. Discipline records and your interaction with your teachers, coaches, and other students are reviewed by the application committee.

Step 4- Be a leader! Leadership is also an important element of an NHS member. While we realize that not everyone can be a team captain or president of a club, you CAN be a leader in other ways- in the classroom, in the community, on a team, in a club, at work, etc.

NHS Meetings

NHS has mandatory meetings the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month unless otherwise noted. Every member is expected to attend unless an excused* absence is provided. Please make sure these dates/times are on your calendar. If you miss a meeting, you must attend the "catch up meeting" on the following Friday during lunch in A20.

September 12th - AUD 3pm
September 26th - LIB 11am
October 10th - AUD 3pm
October 24th - LIB 11am
November 14th - LIB 11am
December 12th- LIB 11am
January 9th - AUD 3pm
January 23rd - LIB 11am
February 13th - AUD 3pm
February 27th - LIB 11am
March 13th - AUD 3pm
March 27th -BUS 9am (Field Trip Day!)
April 10th - LIB 11am
May 8th - LIB 11am
May 22nd - LIB 11am
June 5th - LIB 11am

(1st Thursday because 2nd Thursday is an early dismissal)

*Excused Absences: participation in a school sponsored game/activity, full day out of school for illness/religious holiday/bereavement, and/or sent home early by the nurse.

Unexcused Absence: college tours, doctor's appointments, driving lessons, etc.

If you are unsure if your absence is excused or unexcused, please see a NHS advisor prior to the absence for clarification.

In past years, we have completed the following NHS Sponsored Activities and many more! Members have to participate in at least three (3) activities and also 25 hours of community service in order to maintain eligibility in NHS. Check the NHS Google Classroom for activity and volunteer opportunity announcements.

Joan Knechel Cancer Walk
Fall Blood Drive/ Spring Blood Drive
Daniel’s World Project
Monthly food drives to support the Independence Food Bank
Christmas Present Wrapping
Community Christmas Party
Family Promise Collection
ARC Winter Carnival
Giving Tree for HPD officer who lost his home in a fire
Hutton Soccer Clinic Donations
Big Brothers /Big Sisters Rock n‘ Bowl
Sock Drive for the Homeless
Weekend Backpack Program for families facing food insecurity

Peer Tutoring Now Available!

Struggling in Math? English? All subjects? Our NHS tutors can help. Simply visit our sign-up calendar to make a tutoring appointment.