State Summits offer National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) members hands-on experiential leadership development. They are designed to unlock the potential of participating students by providing a shared space to learn, grow, and explore ideas together. Back in October 2019, we asked students to provide their own report of the September […]
Student Voice
Visionary Leadership—Applied
Creating a Better Culture: Why I Became an Adviser
Our chapter had tremendous potential, and it was time to realize it My school opened in the 1960s, and it has always had a National Honor Society (NHS) chapter. At first it was great, but over the years it began to decline; it was a disorganized group and the bylaws weren’t strong enough. I became […]
Out of the School and Into the Community: Why I Became an Adviser
Guest post by Natasha Schaefer, NHS adviser at Woodcreek High School in Roseville, CA. When I opened my inbox to find an email from my vice principal, I was relieved that it wasn’t about an upset parent or other administrative tasks. Instead, it was calling for volunteers. Our National Honor Society (NHS) adviser had moved […]
Global Change Through Local Action: Why I Became an Adviser
My students fell in love with serving their local community and it made them part of something much bigger. When the National Honor Society (NHS) adviser at my school retired after 15 years, she turned to me with the request that I lead her NHS students. She admitted it would take a ton of time […]
A Place to Belong: Why I Became an Adviser
Celebrating scholarship is just as important as any other school club, and NJHS provides that space. Twenty-one years ago, my principal asked me to advise the current National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) chapter at my middle school. I had never done it before, and it was trial by fire—luckily I was able to attend a […]
Carrying on the Tradition: Why I Became an Adviser
I knew the importance of NHS from my days as a student, and participating as an adviser is even more rewarding. When I first came to my high school, I was asked to be a National Honor Society (NHS) adviser. I jumped at the chance, as I remembered being an NHS member myself and how […]
In Times of Crisis: Why I Became an Adviser
No one could have foreseen our frightening circumstances, but having an NHS chapter made all the difference. I have been a National Honor Society (NHS) adviser for three years. Actually, it’s more accurate to say that I have been the sole adviser for that long—I had previously been co-advising our chapter with my wife for […]
A Big Impact on a Small School: Why I Became an Adviser
The Honor Societies are the best way for a student population of any size to learn how to connect with its community. I was given the opportunity to take over the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) chapter at my school when the previous adviser had to go on maternity leave. That was 14 years ago, […]
The Art of Giving (and Receiving): Why I Became an Adviser
Through NHS, my students learned that the more you give to the world, the more you get back. By teaching upper level students, I’m able to get to know them inside the classroom. When the chance came for me to work with them outside the classroom as a National Honor Society (NHS) adviser, it was […]
School Safety Advocacy From a Student’s Perspective
Following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, which claimed the lives of 17 students and educators, advocates around the country organized a national movement demanding change to better protect our schools and communities from gun violence. Leading that movement are student survivors of the shooting joined by thousands of young […]