Tomorrow, National Honor Society Applications are due in the Guidance Office by 2:30 p.m. for those who wish to be inducted to the organization. National Honor Society (NHS) is an academic organization that focuses on building service and leadership qualities in its members as well as serving the community. To be invited to join, a student must have at least a cumulative GPA of 3.75 in the second semester of their sophomore year.

Angie Mason is the current senior class sponsor of NHS, but will also be the inducted sophomores’ sponsor as well, and will stay with them until their graduation. Mason feels that NHS is something students who are interested should join because of the opportunities that come with it.

“Well, one, it’s one of the most prestigious academic organizations that we have here at Howell North, I mean you’re talking the top 15 percent of the class who’s in National Honor Society,” Mason said. “Since it’s a national organization, colleges and universities recognize it, which is another reason to join National Honor Society as well.”

The application includes both parent and student signatures, contact information, and questions about how involved the student is at school, along with a question pertaining to the four principles of NHS- character, service, leadership, and scholarship.

Other perks that come with being a member and fulfilling the minimum service hours requirement include a gold cord to wear at graduation and recognition at Senior Awards Night in May. Senior class NHS Secretary Emily Hampson feels that her experience with NHS has been positive and encourages others to join as well.

“You should join NHS because you meet a lot of really neat, nice people from it,” Hampson said. “It’s really great volunteer experience and it also looks good on a resume, but that shouldn’t be your only reason for joining. It’s just a good experience in general. You get a real opportunity to help out your community and make a difference, and that’s really neat.”

Sophomore Lavanya Kolluru has turned in her application already and is looking forward to the experience she’ll have as a member of the organization.

“I want to join NHS because I think that community service is important and I think it’ll really help me get into a good college, as well as help me in the future,” Kolluru said.

Because being invited to join via applications that are only distributed once a year, Mason feels that students should recognize the opportunity and take advantage of it.

“[Any student who isn’t sure about joining should] do it because you may not get another chance again, especially in the case of juniors who are deciding whether or not to do it, because they’re not going to be invited come senior year,” Mason said. “Applications only come around once a year.”

Applications are due Jan. 23 and can be turned in to the guidance office.