The National Honor Society (NHS) is a program that guides juniors and seniors to help them reach their highest potential, set high expectations in order to achieve their goals, and help mold students into being their best selves.

Because many colleges like to see students with extracurricular activities, clubs, and programs on their transcripts, NHS can be something positive in which students can get involved.

Josephine Zbylut-Birky, student engagement specialist and advisor for the South chapter of the NHS, said that some of her proudest moments while serving as advisor have been when “my students and I receive compliments on the work we do.” NHS members have volunteered at the Rose Theater to help set up plays, at Gomez Elementary to help parents set up for open house, conferences, and the NHS Christmas toy drive. “I get to see my students thrive and grow, to help them with real-life daily skills,” she added.

Requirements for NHS are to have a 3.5 or higher GPA; show evidence of the three pillars of NHS (leadership, service, and character); provide a written essay; commit to 10 or more hours of service work; and explain why they believe they deserve to be a part of NHS.

Here at South, there are more than 73 members of the NHS. Half of them are seniors and the other half are juniors. In the past, only seniors were admitted to the society.  NHS meets about three times a month on Wednesdays during either lunch or in the morning.

“They have to work hard and be ambitious,” Zybult-Birky said of members. At graduation, members with 190 or more service hours receive a gold stone award.