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What do 15 Ramstein High School students have in common with opera singer Eric Mills, super model Cindy Crawford, Nobel Prize physicist Dr. Arno Penzias and astronaut Judith Resnick? They have all recently been inducted into the National Honor Society.
A feather in the cap of deserving high school students around the country is to be recognized in the society. While a grade point average of 3.5 is a necessary requirement of acceptance into the society, NHS is more than just an honor roll.
According to the society’s constitution, four main principles steer the NHS: “To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools.”
“We know that all applying students have the scholarship, but we also put a
strong emphasis on whether or not they excel in all kinds of community activities, especially those that serve the military public,” said sponsor Betty
Slusny.
Before students can become an associate of the 100-plus member society at RHS, they must complete a rigorous application packet. In addition to documenting that they have maintained a 3.5 grade point average and have sustained a solid attendance record, students must also write an essay describing how they have shown to be outstanding in scholarship, service, leadership and character.
Furthermore, teachers and other community members are asked to provide recommendations on each student before acceptance into the NHS.
“The rigorous application packet is designed to uphold the high status of NHS at Ramstein High School,” Slusny said.
Sophomore Lauren Codina went through the tough application process because she felt it gave her many opportunities and was a good chance to help out her community, she said.
One of the missions of the RHS National Honor Society is to create a sense of responsibility and respect among its members.
To help promote this goal, students work with the Wounded Warrior Program, tutor their fellow peers and volunteer at many school activities and within the community throughout the year.
However, one of the biggest goals each year is to raise money to donate to the Chaplain’s Closet, which provides daily essentials such as clothing, toiletries and even shoes to Soldiers who have returned from deployment and combat with nothing but their uniforms on their backs. One way NHS members raise money is to bag at the commissary. Last year, the group was able to raise $1,350 worth of supplies to give to the Chaplain’s Closet and $2,800 to give to other school clubs and organizations at RHS. The society’s involvement with and contributions to the Chaplain’s Closet “give students a chance to serve where we normally wouldn’t,” said junior Giuliana Gillespie.
An induction ceremony and banquet takes place twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. In the fall, only upperclassmen may apply, but in the spring, sophomores may also join the society.
Slusny said the banquet is a “super special event and a wonderful buffet dinner that supersedes all expectations.”
The previously inducted members each contribute a homemade dish of their choice for the buffet and the officers help set up the great hall for the event.
“My favorite part about the induction ceremony is where we all get to shake hands and honor the students who do well in school,” said senior Jessica Zaugg.
While all these students may not go on to fame and fortune, it is certain they are young people who believe in the value of serving others and are recognized by the RHS community as outstanding high school students.
Congratulations to the fall RHS inductees: Marie Aponte, Rachel Baine, Stewart Coard, Lauren Codina, Shannon Guffey, Troy Guffey, Cameron Hansen, Devin McGeehan, Alexandra Meints, Lucas Mireles, Kevin Parvizi, Everett Plocek, Carrie Pratt, Aaren Robinson and Matthew Sharpy.
