By Sharon Alms

National Honor Society Advisor

With more than 90 years of history, membership in the National Honor Society is a proud tradition that honors the achievement and effort of students working to make a change in their schools and communities.

Students being considered for entrance into the Austin High School Chapter must have an unweighted grade point average of 3.6 or higher. The application process includes an essay as well as documentation of demonstration of leadership, character and service. A committee of teachers reviews the applications and selects students who demonstrate excellence in the four criteria of scholarship, leadership, character and service.

Activities include a large variety of service projects such as food drives, helping at school carnivals, raising money for Habitat for Humanity, tutoring, Salvation Army bell ringing, small group leaders for Youth Frontier retreats and nursing home visits, to name a few. Each member is required to submit documentation of a minimum of 20 service hours per year, but many members far exceed that number.

Academic achievement is a core component of NHS, but today’s students need much more than just good grades to get ahead. National Honor Society’s focus on service, leadership, and character helps students build the skills and relationships that will ensure success throughout their academic years and beyond. Congratulations to all Austin High School National Honor Society members, and we look forward to your continued leadership in our school and community.

New NHS Members

On Oct. 20, the following juniors and seniors were inducted into the Austin High School Chapter of the National Honor Society: Aleesha Anderson, Nicholas Baier, Sean Baker, Justin Bergemann, Jennifer Bogle, Noah Brehmer, Kayla Byram, Abigail Collins, Deng Deng, Elayna Dyke, Sarah Eich, Elizabeth Ettinger, Timothy Farrell, Baylee Garroway, Caitlin Gordon, Nayeli Hernandez Moctezuma, Katelyn Hillson, Ryan Kempen, Quoc Le, Olivia Leuer, Tabitha Nelson, Madison Overby, Mara Overby, Maggie Trom, Kelsey Sederquest, Valentina Truong-Ferreira, Kendra Wagner, Jenna Williamson, and Sarah Willrodt.

Returning NHS members

Trista Akkerman, Anna Bachmeier (President), McKenna Gleisner, Kendall Hull, Shane Johannsen, Madeline Kinney, Karla Kubesh, Tim Malakhov, Giancarlo Marconi, Katie Maxa, Bailey Mueller, Sydney Murphy, Sawyer Myers (Secretary), Abby Quednow-Bickler, Matthew Retterath, Bethany Rowbal, Natalie Sayles, Alexandra Smith (Historian), Sophia Thoen (Treasurer), and Emma Weikum.