Honor societies recognize students academically and allow them to give back to others
Making a difference. Learning how to be a leader. Giving back to others. Being a positive role model. Providing community service. According to National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) students at David Reese Elementary School, these are just a few of the traits that come to mind when asked about their involvement in their school’s honor society.
Video: NEHS students at David Reese Elementary School explain what NEHS means to them.
More than just simply academic recognition programs, national honor societies are giving Elk Grove Unified School District students in elementary school through high school the opportunity to be honored for their academic excellence, as well as develop leadership skills and the chance to give back to their schools and communities through service projects. Honor society chapters are increasing in popularity at EGUSD schools.
Carleen Smith and Emily Lints are advisors to the National Honor Society (NHS) chapter at Sheldon High School. Each member of Sheldon’s NHS chapter is required to participate in two group service opportunities and one individual community service event. At Sheldon, dues for the entire chapter are $200 per year and NHS students participate in fundraisers throughout the year to cover this cost. In recent years, Sheldon’s NHS students have truly started to take ownership in their chapter.
“Over the last two years, our students have been very instrumental in deciding how the club is run and what the expectations will be,” said Smith. “Our NHS students are responsible for attendance and the overall running of meetings. They also really enjoy the group activities and contributing to the community.”
In addition to Sheldon’s NHS chapter, five other EGUSD high schools also have NHS chapters: Cosumnes Oaks, Florin, Franklin, Laguna Creek and Monterey Trail.
Photo: Foulks Ranch Elementary School NEHS members pose with change collected during their school-wide fundraiser to benefit leukemia research.
NHS – established in 1921 and the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) – established in 1929, have been known as the premier organizations in the United States credited with recognizing outstanding high school and middle school students. NHS and NJHS are more than merely just an “honor roll” of sorts. Students selected for membership in these prestigious societies have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character, as well as citizenship for NJHS members. Currently, over one million students currently participate in NHS and NJHS chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, several U.S. Territories and Canada. Click here for more information about NHS and NJHS.
Photo: Eddy students line up to support the NJHS candy gram fundraiser.
Photo: An Eddy student purchases a candy gram from NJHS students.
Harriet Eddy Middle School is home to the “Hornet Chapter” of NJHS. At Eddy, NJHS students meet twice a month to plan service projects that will fulfill a need with their school or community. Currently, Eddy NJHS students are running a candy sale fundraiser to help purchase supplies for their chapter. All NJHS members at Eddy must complete 16 hours of service in seven of eight areas to earn the Silver Hornet Award by the end of their 8th grade year. They must also attend at least 80 percent of meetings to meet their attendance requirement. Click here to view the Harriet Eddy Middle School NJHS website.
Photo: A Foulks Ranch Elementary School student counts change raised during a fundraiser by NEHS students to help benefit leukemia research.
In 2008, elementary school students across the country were given the opportunity to join an honor society as well with the establishment of NEHS. NEHS recognizes elementary school students at both public and non-public schools for outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility. In addition, NEHS gives elementary school students an outlet to provide meaningful service to the school and community and helps them develop essential leadership skills. Click here for more information about NEHS.
Elk Grove Unified has several NEHS chapters, including all elementary schools in the Laguna Creek region. Foulks Ranch Elementary School was one of the first elementary schools in the district to charter an NEHS chapter. Lead by school principal Mary Beth Kropp and NEHS advisor Dawn Vollmar, Foulks Ranch Elementary School became the 68th school in the country to charter a chapter of NEHS.
“Establishing an NEHS chapter presented the perfect opportunity to give academically gifted students the chance to discover the joys of community service,” said Vollmar. “The students truly enjoy being involved in NEJS – they love doing the projects!”
Photo: A Cosumnes River Elementary School student speaks at his school’s NEHS induction ceremony.
Foulks Ranch NEHS students attend monthly meetings where students brainstorm ideas for potential service projects to be held each trimester. Students are responsible for promoting the service projects by using announcements and posters. Recently, NEHS students at Foulks Ranch created 40 dozen homemade dog and cat treats that were donated to the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA). Students also conducted a spare change drive to benefit research in finding a cure for leukemia.
Several EGUSD elementary schools now have NEHS chapters, including Arnold Adreani, Arthur C. Butler, Elitha Donner, John Ehrhardt, Florin, David Reese and Irene B. West. Herman Leimbach Elementary School is currently going through the process of establishing a NEHS chapter at their school site and Cosumnes River Elementary School recently inducted their inaugural NEHS members at a ceremony in January 2012.
Photo: New Cosumnes River Elementary School NEHS students proudly display their certificates.
Cosumnes River principal Michael Gulden feels that the NEHS program will be a great addition to his school.
“I believe the qualities that the program emphasizes – leadership, service, scholarship and responsibility – are virtues we want to develop and encourage in our young people,” Gulden said. “The students love it, especially the fact that the induction ceremony was such a ‘big deal’ with lots of pomp and circumstance. I am looking forward to seeing NEHS bring positive additions to our campus.”
