National Honor Society (NHS) acceptance and rejection letters have been distributed to eligible sophomores, juniors and seniors who applied for admission.

NHS sponsor AnnMarie Gilman said, “If a student’s score meets the minimum, they are invited to join. There is no pre-set limit to the number of kids that get in. If everyone qualified, they would all get in.”

Although most years there are around 80 students accepted, Gilman said this year 100 students were accepted.

The rise in students accepted is unusual because it is a lot tougher to get into NHS at Lafayette than at most other schools across the country, Gilman said. 

However, even though it is more difficult to be accepted into NHS at Lafayette, colleges will not see that level of difficulty on an application.

Counselor Emily Lee said, “Since it is a nationwide honor society, colleges won’t always know the depth of our society compared to others, and there are a lot of students that are a part of it.  Not being in NHS won’t close any doors for a student, but it can be a good thing to have on your resume along with other extra-curricular activities.  It is a nationally recognized group, so it does hold some weight.”

Even with all the struggle to get into NHS, it doesn’t end when a student is accepted.

Gilman said, “Members attend monthly meetings beginning in September and participate in a variety of activities including school based, local community and national service efforts.”

NHS students have to attend many service-oriented activities including volunteering for the GO! Marathon, Operation Backpack, Nurses for Newborns, Caroling for a Cause and other service activities.

Gilman said, “We also participate (on average) in three international efforts each year and have had a significant impact in the nine years I have sponsored the group.”