The National Honor Society, also known as NHS, is a national student honors organization with a school chapter at University Academy. Led by Mr. Joshua Burdette and Ms. Susie Jackson, students had the opportunity to travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 11 through March 14 for the annual NHS trip.
To become a member of the organization, students must be in the spring of their sophomore or junior year and have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. Eligible students are required to complete a candidate information form that tells Mr. Burdette and Ms. Jackson they are interested in joining the organization.
Faculty are then asked to submit and complete a student evaluation form for each candidate that focuses on students’ commitment to service, character, leadership and academics.
“Once all forms are collected, the Faculty Honor Council convenes to determine which candidates will be invited to be inducted into the organization. Ms. Jackson and myself are ex-officio members of this meeting and are thus non-voting,” Mr. Burdette said.
Later this spring, upcoming juniors and seniors will be newly inducted into NHS.
Throughout the year, members of NHS actively contribute to the school and community through multiple community service projects. This may include helping with school events, organizing drives, helping the University Academy Foundation, and managing recycling in the Upper School.
Sparrow Leigh-Baker, a senior and vice president of NHS, has been a member for two years and has seen the benefits from being a part of the organization.
“NHS is a great way to build leadership and responsibility within the school,” she said. “Also, if you are looking to go to a good college or build a strong resume, NHS is a great way to do that.”
One of the most unique aspects of NHS at UA is its annual trip, a tradition started by former advisor, Mr. John Veal, who wanted to give students an opportunity to travel to a different city. This year, students traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
During the trip, students visited historically significant sites such as the National Constitution Center, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. They also traveled to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Eastern State Penitentiary and toured colleges including Swarthmore College and the University of Pennsylvania.
For many students, the trip was a highlight of their NHS experience.
“My favorite thing about this year’s NHS trip was visiting the penitentiary in Philadelphia … and meeting up with Nani [Hill], a former NHS member who goes to Swarthmore,” Leigh-Baker said.
TyJuan Brown, a junior and active member of NHS, also enjoyed the trip. Primarily, he enjoyed the different forms of transportation experienced during the trip. In addition to walking, students also traveled by train, bus and the subway.
The National Honor Society at UA offers students much more than academic honor. It provides community service opportunities, leadership development and memorable experiences like the annual trip.
