Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character; all four pillars of the National Honor Society (NHS) embody a sense of community and integrity. Every year, students apply to become a part of this prestigious club through a rigorous application process concerning teacher recommendations, community service hours and an essay.

This year is no exception. Juniors and seniors who meet the qualifications have been accepted into NHS as of last week and will be inducted on Oct. 15 in the Theater.

When asked about NHS, Assistant Principal Nisha Patel said that “it puts students at the next level.”

At the fall induction, students will be announced by NHS sponsors, Nichole Ballard-Long and Melissa Twombly, and will be sworn in by the NHS Executive Board. The new inductees will recite the NHS pledge and receive their NHS membership card, officially swearing them into the National Honor Society.

By becoming a part of NHS, newly sworn members will be required to obtain a minimum of 8 volunteer hours per year. In order to get their hours, they must participate in several different activities within their communities through NHS, such as the Ellisville Elementary Fall Carnival, participating in food pantry drop-offs or helping clean the Babler State Park Trail.

“Being in NHS means more than being a smart student, you have to be service minded and have a passion for leadership,” Ballard-Long said.