NHS: more than just a title
By Josh Ricker
Junior and Public Relations Officer
FFMHS NHS Chapter
Believe it or not, the National Honor Society is more than just a title or activity that you can add to your college applications to make you look impressive. It means much more than that.
Character, service, leadership, scholarship. These are the four everlasting pillars of the National Honor Society. When inducted, you do not need to be perfect at all, or any of the pillars, but have a well-rounded foundation and understanding of all of them to build off. In the end, these pillars will construct a balanced citizen who is constantly involved in the community, kind-hearted, generous, intuitive, and lastly in my opinion, most importantly, becoming a passionate leader in their environment whether it’s a university or community atmosphere. National Honor Society will assist anyone to achieve these traits and more, if they are willing to accept and live by our society’s values and beliefs.
Personally, the National Honor Society has really made an impact on my life. When I was a freshman in high school, it was rare to see me volunteer my services other than simply a few sports clinics held at the recreation center. In the classroom, I was a well rounded and intelligent student, but did not seek to achieve anything greater, or expand outside of my comfort zone. In the community, my character has always known to be good, but I could have become more outgoing and generous to everyone in our town. Lastly, I have always had the traits and knowledge to become an influential leader both on the field and in the school. However, I was always too timid and shy to come out of my shell and display my talents in front of my peers.
National Honor Society has completely changed the person I am today. National Honor Society has given me the opportunity of countless volunteer hours. I have given my time to many sports clinics to help young children, volunteered at many service projects such as the annual Fall Fun Fest, and even painted faces at our elementary school during Spirit Day.
In the classroom, National Honor Society expects more out of myself than just average, and I have pushed myself sometimes harder than I thought I could handle. I have expanded my comfort zone, and pushed my limits by taking challenging classes, and expecting myself to achieve more every single quarter. In the community and school, my character is much more selfless, kind, and generous, as I think of my actions well before I complete them. My leadership has soared ten-fold on the field and classroom. Now, I am in NHS, serving as the public relations officer, an involved member of the Student Council, a leader in my class, and an eager leader on the playing field in both games and practices — not just leading by example, but by motivation as well.
Overall, the National Honor Society has given me all the tools and resources I have needed to succeed and has pushed me to become a better student, citizen, leader and most importantly, a better person in my community. National Honor Society is truly a phenomenal organization and really helps everyone involved to become better people.
