National Honor Society (NHS) is one of the biggest honor societies at Pine Creek with over 200 students. Students are able to join NHS in the spring through an application process. This process contains questions on the 4 pillars of NHS which are character, service, leadership, and scholarship. In addition to the application, Students must have a 3.75 weighted GPA and get 2 teacher recommendations. Once the students apply, a staff council reviews and makes recommendations on the students that they believe should be invited to the induction ceremony. Students must maintain a minimum 3.75 GPA and complete 35 hours of community service 10 of which must be school related to remain in NHS.
Heather Scott who advises NHS said, “There are endless kind of options that students can seek out,” when referring to students’ volunteer hours.
NHS has helped many students when it comes to the college application process.
“It helps students stand out to colleges because besides students being able to read, write, think, analyze, argue, and communicate effectively, colleges are looking for students who can excel in the 4 areas that are the pillars in NHS,” Scott said.
This is one of the reasons why students choose to join.
“I joined NHS to draw attention to my non-academic strengths on college and scholarship applications” said Will Roth (12) when asked about his college application process.
Others agree that being in NHS helps with applications.
Chloe Moore (12) said, “It makes your application look better and helps colleges know that you’re taking extracurriculars.”
But students don’t only join NHS for their college applications, they also join to give back to the community.
Moore, who has done around 10 hours of community service, said, “I joined because I like helping people. I enjoy knowing that I am helping the community and it helps me get a better understanding of others who need help.”
For many students it’s about giving back.
Grace Garza (11) said “I joined NHS to give back to the community and that’s given so much to me. It’s so rewarding knowing that what I do helps make Pine Creek the best it can be.”
Other students share the same feelings about making a difference.
Amith Anumandla (11) said, “I joined NHS so I can give back and have an impact on the community.”
Being a member of the club leaves a major impact on students.
“Students gain a lot of skill and confidence from stepping out of their comfort zone and the world they’ve been in, whether that’s sports, academics, clubs, school. Getting out into the bigger community and learning about things they might have not realized.” Scott said “Like how some people struggle to find a meal each day. Being a member of NHS and maintaining a membership in good standing of your junior and senior year shows colleges you are a candidate who are able to do those things on their campus as well.”
For some students this process started earlier.
Joshua Jennings (12) said “I joined NHS because I did NJHS in middle school and from that experience I knew there was a way I could get involved in a program that would not only benefit the community but provide myself many growth opportunities.”
When it comes to achieving these volunteer hours there’s a variety of ways in which students can do so.
Anumandla, who has logged three hours of service so far said, “I volunteered at Briar Fest and helped out around the kids zone and also ran some of the games they had there.”
Members have found their own ways to give back.
Roth said, “I’ve logged about 55 over my two years so far. I’ve mainly achieved them by serving at Pine Creek and my church.”
Whether it’s school related or not there’s all kinds of opportunities available.
Moore said “Some of my hours I volunteered to help Mr. Gracia move his classroom and some of them are from my church working for camps.”
Garza, who has around 10 service hours, said, “I’ve done majority of my hours from being a Creek Connector, meaning I got to be a leader to our current freshman and help them adapt to life at Pine Creek”
NHS is currently taking applications for students eligible to join. For more information, email Mrs. Scott.
