JHS National Honor Society wins national award for service

By Clara Toot, JCSD Communications Specialist

JOHNSTON, Ia. (Sept. 26, 2024) — The Johnston High School chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) has received the national Service Award of Excellence — a recognition of the chapter’s exemplary record of leadership, service and efforts to improve the school and community.

“Receiving an NHS Chapter Pillar Award reflects the extraordinary commitment of students who are making a real difference in their school and community,” said Ronn Nozoe, chief executive officer of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). “The Johnston High School chapter shows what’s possible when young people come together to lead, serve and inspire others.”

National Honor Society is an academic organization that focuses on empowering and recognizing students through four pillars: service, leadership, scholarship and character.  Students in NHS must maintain a 3.5 or higher grade point average, volunteer at least 25 hours and have opportunities for leadership positions.

Over the past seven years, The JHS chapter of NHS has raised approximately $800 to $1,000 each year for the Johnston Partnership to help those in need. The main service projects in 2023-2024 included a community garden program, tutoring for secondary students, and facilitating the Dragon Scholarship Fund’s annual ‘phone-a-thon.’

“During the 2023-2024 school year our chapter was able to really make a difference in our community and school,” said Johnston High School NHS adviser Jenny Palmer. “This award shows the hard work that our kids put in and to be able to showcase that and receive this award is an amazing honor.”

Another favorite is the annual Santa Pancake Breakfast, an event that invites families and students of all ages to meet Santa, eat a homemade pancake breakfast, and listen to holiday music performed by JHS bands. The breakfast is a free will offering fundraiser for the Johnston Partnership.

The JHS chapter of the NHS currently has 89 members and is split into several service committees. Each spring, the high school hosts an induction ceremony for all new members and their families. Then throughout the year, NHS hosts service projects to raise money for selected charities and give back to the community. 

“As a member of the Johnston High School National Honor Society, receiving the NHS Service award this year is a tremendous honor,” Johnston High School NHS President Shreyas Shrestha said. “This honor serves as a token of our work and efforts, and is a meaningful reminder for us to keep working towards strengthening our community.”

The NHS Chapter Pillar Awards are prestigious recognitions to celebrate the outstanding achievements of NHS chapters across the country. In addition to basic requirements, the chapters must have demonstrated successful activities that exemplify one or all of the core values of NHS: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

NHS is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), which also oversees the National Association of Student Councils.