Once a month during lunch, the National Honors Society of Aliso Niguel and their members gather together in the library in order to keep the club running and organized. The most recent meeting was last week on Feb. 5.
During the meeting the executive members and the advisor of the NHS, Sra. McClellan, remind the students of their requirements in order to stay eligible for the society, provide opportunities to support them and create a stronger community between the members through some activities.
The NHS is one of the largest national organizations that recognizes high achieving students and is known for its prestige.
Sra. McClellan says, “The goal of the National Honors Society is to get students that are highly academic, … honorable and serve their communities.”
The organization is often summarized by its four pillars that define what each member should exemplify: character, service, scholarship and leadership.
In order to maintain high standards for its members, certain requirements, such as 20 hours of service per year, are required to stay eligible. They must also attend two after school tutoring sessions in which they may tutor students in need of academic support in any subject for one hour of service. These occur every Wednesday in the library, and anyone can attend for extra support.
NHS also wants to ensure that these requirements are feasible and offer opportunities from separate organizations for hours and often highlight clubs every meeting.
This time, a non-profit organization, the Joyful Child Foundation, presented a marathon that they plan to do at Aliso Niguel High School called the Brave Run on Feb. 23. The organization fights to raise awareness and avoid crimes against children. The Brave run is one of the many events the foundation does in order to support children around the county. Joyful Child foundation encourages students to attend or to help run the event in exchange for service hours.
Every meeting, the NHS gives a spotlight to a club at Aliso Niguel as an opportunity to publicize and promote one’s club. This month, the Financial Literacy Group took the spotlight. Pragya Singhal (10), the president of the club, explained the club’s goal to teach and give lessons to high schoolers on how to manage their money and invest. The club also participates in events and competitions on finance providing students with a fun learning experience that prepares them for the future.
Every meeting, the NHS seeks to also form a closer community with its members.
Senora McClellan emphasizes “We’re trying all sorts of things to make it more [of] a community and not just a club to put on your resume.”
They start with icebreakers in which members get to know more about each other. And later on, they call up members of certain birthday months and celebrate their birthdays. They receive candy and pose in front of a camera together to take a picture.
When asked how the NHS has helped her grow, Ulyana Tsetsulnikova (11), a member entering her second year with the NHS says, “I know that I am surrounded by other goal oriented students so that always keeps me motivated to stay disciplined.”
This feeling of being part of a community of students with similar a mindset allows members to feel that they are part of a greater group, helping them strive for more and support each other.
