The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to recognizing outstanding high school students. At Pleasant Valley High School, Sara Russell is the adviser of this organization, along with Susan Anil, Gui Pinho, Jacob Bandy, and Natalie Murphy as the student executive members.
NHS serves to recognize students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Membership not only acknowledges students for their accomplishments but also challenges them to develop further through active involvement in community service and school activities. There are approximately 1.2 million NHS members, with about 200 of those at PV.
Each high school has different requirements for becoming a member. At PV, students must be a junior or senior and have a 3.75 GPA or above to be considered for selection. Students must also write an essay and secure recommendations from three teachers and one person who can speak of their community service.
NHS has four main purposes: “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.” Members of NHS serve their school and community by fundraising money for local charity organizations.
Russell states that every year NHS fundraises for a different organization that directly helps young, school-going kids. “We’ve always tried to take an approach to help other children in our community.”
Pleasant Valley High School’s NHS has had many great achievements. Last year, it was able to collect $4,000 for the Quad Cities Children’s Therapy Center by hosting the annual PV Palooza and many other fundraising events. This money helped the center run its bicycle camp this past summer. NHS was also able to raise about $400 for Coats for Kids through fundraising at football games.
Senior Jacob Bandy is an executive member of NHS. He serves the organization by leading various committees for fundraisers and participating in other school activities with administrators. Bandy believes students should join NHS because it’s an organization that values scholarship, leadership, service, and character. “It gives students the opportunity to not only better themselves in these areas but also make a positive impact in our community.”
Pleasant Valley recently had their annual NHS induction on November 8, 2018, where 99 more students joined the organization. National Honor Society continues to inspire students to further develop their character through active involvement in community service and school activities.
