Of all the extracurricular clubs at the high school level, the National Honors Society is regarded as one of the most exclusive. Students must volunteer 40 hours and demonstrate specific qualities through their character and activities in order to be admitted into the elite organization.

Although the process can be grueling, some members describe the time, effort and hard work as publicly rewarding 

 “…By putting yourself out there and joining NHS, you get to experience interactions you don’t normally get in high school,” said Senior Brooke Osterkamp, a two year veteran of NHS.

Junior Claire Roffi, now on her second year at NHS,, can speak to the camaraderie NHS builds.

“The entire initiation process, from the tapping to the volunteering, has such a sophisticated formality to it that creates an unmatched sense of belonging,” she said. 

To Osterkamp, the service aspect of the club is the most rewarding. 

“Being acknowledged for giving back to your community and becoming involved in your town gives you personal rewards that cannot be measured,” she said. 

All in all, Osterkamp describes the connections and activites as being the core rewards of NHS.

“Being with your friends and doing activities that help the community is nice excuse to break from your homework, and help make a change.” 

When asked if they would recommend joining NHS to underclassmen, all of the interviewed members replied totally and indifferently: Absolutely.