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NHS students work to maintain high standards
For a group of local high school students attaining good grades in school is not enough. Daily, these students stand up to the challenge of showing good citizenship and exemplifying good character.
Fort Scott High School's National Honor Society students have worked diligently this year in order maintain a standard of excellence, according to NHS student Dana Ballou. This standard of excellence includes achieving good grades and setting a good behavior example for the other students.
"We are the best of the best," Ballou said.
The National Honor Society is a national organization that was created to recognize exceptional students, according to the official National Honor Society Web site, www.nhs.us.
"The National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) are the nation's premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school and middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS serve to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character ... These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921 and 1929," the NHS Web site said.
During the month of April, members of the FSHS NHS visited Winfield Scott Elementary and Eugene Ware Elementary schools and spent time reading to various groups of elementary school students. The project was met with success, according to Winfield Scott teacher Lois Wilson.
"As always, it is a pleasure to watch the reaction of the younger students sharing time with older students," Wilson said. "This day was no exception. The gleam in their eyes, laughter and body language depicted their enjoyment from both the book being read to them as well as just their time together. One student, in particular, just beamed when he realized it was his brother who was here to share a book with them. Upon completing of the readings, there was a short question and answer period, where first and second graders asked that National Honor Society students questions about FSHS life. Truly, it was a special time for everyone. We will certainly be looking forward to our next visit," she said.
Eugene Ware teacher Janet Irvin said the time spent reading with the NHS students helped her students understand what can be achieved by learning to read.
"It was nice to have such good role models show what can be accomplished from learning to read," Irvin said.
NHS student AnnRene Braun, who participated in the reading event, said that she really enjoys being a part of NHS because it gives her a chance to be of help in the community. She said that it makes her feel good to achieve goals and to be recognized for those achievements.
The local NHS members have worked on several projects this year. Some of the students accompanied the special needs students to the Special Olympics. NHS member Tyler Dancy, who participated in this activity, said spending the day at Special Olympics gave him a new perspective on life. Recently, members of NHS also created a rock garden, which contains large red blocks that spell FSHS.
Next year, Curran said, the students will conduct an activity at Fort Scott Middle School. This will give the NHS members a chance to be role models to the middle school students.
Both FSHS NHS sponsor Karen Curran and Dancy said that being a member of NHS can assist a student in his or her pursuit of a college degree.
"Being a part of NHS looks good on college resumes," Dancy said.
Curran added, "Being a member of NHS looks good on scholarship applications as well as job applications. It is a national organization and is looked upon as a highly regarded membership."
In the final NHS meeting for the 2007-08 school year on Wednesday, Curran encouraged the large group of students to continue being good role models.