by Ruby Schon

The National Honor Society (NHS) is a program used to promote and honor the academic success and leadership qualities within students. On March 1st, 1921 the National Honors Society was created by Dr. Edward Rynearson. Since its inception, NHS has grown to become one of the most prestigious among all Honors Societies United States High Schools have to offer by creating a large impact on many young scholars.

Brooke Brownell, a newly inducted member of the National Honor Society for the 2026 school year, explains the process of qualifying to join NHS, noting that you need to have the following: at least a 3.25 GPA unweighted and a 3.5 GPA weighted, two positive teacher recommendations, one community member recommendation, one verifiable leadership role consisting of ten service hours since entering high school. Applicants also must be a sophomore, junior or senior to be considered.

Samantha Norwood, an officer of the National Honor Society and leader of the Fall Service Project, comments on how NHS has had a positive impact on Southeast. “I think that Southeast has been positively impacted by the NHS because we are able to be leaders to our fellow students and foster a serving atmosphere. The National Honor Society works to bring service, leadership and community together, Norwood said.

The society is not just about a note on a college application. Norwood said, "Southeast has been positively impacted by the NHS because we provide volunteers for school activities, we help with the morale of the school through community service projects,\ and we help the school directly through other service projects. For example, in the next month we will be completing a campus beautification project, where we work together to clean up campus, possibly fund new trash cans in the student parking lot, and plant new greenery to make campus look more pleasing.”

With a thriving National Honors Society, Southeast maintains a level of academic excellence combined with outstanding community service.