NHS inductees accept certificate from SC associate principal Greg Gardner on Nov. 28 (Gartner/LION).

Since 1921, the National Honor Society (NHS) has been providing dedicated students with an opportunity to showcase their passion for learning and commitment to service. The organization focuses on promoting leadership skills while opening doors for students looking to apply to competitive universities. 

It also helps students expand their understanding of the world around them. Millions of students take part in this institution every year, including hundreds from LT’s student body.

“[This year’s induction ceremony was] Tuesday, Nov. 28 in the Reber Center,” National Honors Society co-sponsor Mary Gresge said. “We have 350 members this year [who were] inducted.”

Although the NHS has proven to be very popular, the organization requires multiple hours of volunteer work in order to apply as a guarantee that those joining are truly dedicated to the service aspect of the group.

“This is a national organization, and [it] has what we call the four pillars,” Gresge said. “Those pillars are leadership, scholarship, character, and service. Most people think it’s just about scholarship, and when I was in high school it was. Now they’ve [adapted] it, so you need leadership, character, and service too.” 

Since the organization is often made up of students simply looking to improve their chances at competitive colleges, requiring those involved to complete officially recognized volunteer work has been an important method of combating a history of uninvolved members, Gresge said. To apply to become a member, students must complete 10 volunteer hours. To be inducted, a student is required to do 25 service hours. In order to be awarded the title of presidential volunteer, 100 hours must be logged and submitted. 

“It’s a great way to get involved in service around the school,” National Honors Society Inductee Alex Edwards ‘24 said. “A lot of the time it’s harder to know what’s going on or see these service opportunities [when they’re] mixed in with other clubs and schoolwork. [NHS] makes it more clear where you can go to help people outside of the school day.”

For some, the volunteer work required of the NHS members is out of the question, particularly for students who are already a part of other clubs or have jobs, Gresge said. For those who are willing and able to put in the effort, however, the impact they have on the community is nothing short of impressive.

“I’ve been involved in [the Secret Santa fundraiser] for a long time, and I’m trying to make it even more collaborative with the NHS,” Edwards said. “It’s a great organization.We get almost 200 kids sponsored through LT, and it’s a great way to give back to the community.”

Based on GPA, current juniors will be sent invitations via their LT email to apply for the NHS in early February of 2024.