Finish the Fight
The NHS chapter at Woodcreek High School in Roseville, CA, organized a 5k run/walk to raise funds for a fellow classmate who was diagnosed with cancer and lost his leg as a result. With assistance and support from the local community and other partners, the event raised a whopping $16,000! While participants (comprising high school students, amputees, and local residents) completed the race, education activities held on the football field promoted respect and awareness for the disabled and amputees.
Global Citizenship Initiative strand: empathetic actions and wellness
School Sustainability
In 2017, the NHS chapter at Quality Schools International–Yerevan founded the government-approved Yerevan Recycling Awareness Program. This program began as a recycling competition between several schools in Yerevan, Armenia, that was meant to increase awareness of recycling and give students an opportunity to recycle in schools, since there are no recycling collection services in Armenia at all. NHS members were able to reach and engage more than 2,000 students and collected more than 440 pounds (200 kilograms) of plastic bottles. This year, the goal is to engage at least 15 schools and turn the program into a sustainable project for years to come.
Global Citizenship Initiative strand: positive social change
Put a CAP on Hunger
Since November 2016, Stockdale High School’s National Honor Society in Bakersfield, CA, has worked with the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) Food Bank to help alleviate food insecurity and hunger. Over the course of the year, the chapter has distributed more than 250,000 pounds of food to 74,000 families in the community. In addition to improving the well-being of these residents, the NHS members increase awareness regarding the gaping food disparity in Kern County and promote proactive approaches to solving this ongoing problem.
Global Citizenship Initiative strand: positive social change
The Blue Out
An AP biology teacher at Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights, MI, has a daughter who was born with Angelman Syndrome (AS)—a genetic disorder that affects 200,000 Americans each year. The NHS students at the school took this cause to heart and planned a “Blue Out” on April 20 of last year to raise awareness of AS and collect donations. Students also participated in a charity volleyball game.
Global Citizenship Initiative strand: empathetic action and wellness
Block Bullying
The National Junior Honor Society members at Murphy Middle School in Texas collaborated with the entire student body, teachers, and administration in order to “block bullying.” The chapter raised awareness of the problem of bullying and worked to combat its negative effects in several ways: through letters and cards hand-delivered to the district’s three feeder elementary schools, by installing a monitored “Personal Safety” box in the library, by promoting a Unity Day on campus, and by the use of positive, permanent artwork painted on the bathroom stall doors.
Global Citizenship Initiative strand: awareness/perspectives
Nothing but Net
The Fairbanks Middle School NJHS chapter in Milford Center, OH, hosted a Special Olympics basketball game. They hoped to encourage positive social change in the community by encouraging interaction with special needs individuals. After careful planning, the members hosted the game in late February in the middle school gym. The chapter made all the participants feel like winners. NJHS members ran a concession stand during the event and raised a total profit of $500, which was donated to the Union County Special Olympics program.
Global Citizenship Initiative strand: equity
Be the Change
After witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Harvey on the Texas Gulf Coast, the Lakeview Middle School (LMS) NJHS chapter in Battle Creek, MI, developed a weeklong service project called “Be the Change” to support Rockport-Fulton Middle School in Rockport, TX, which was severely damaged by the storm. From September 25–29, the eighth-grade members collected change at lunch. They also conducted Miracle Minutes at halftime during three football games and at an LMS pep assembly. Bucket Brigades of students scurried through the bleachers for a timed minute and collected as many donations as possible. After advertising and promoting their project on the local news and social media, the project raised $2,000 for the damaged school.
Global Citizenship Initiative strand: empathetic actions and wellness
You’re ACEs!
The ACE (Attitude, Character, and Education) Club, comprising students in grades five to eight at Imagine Charter School in Weston, FL, holds weekly meetings during which students create hands-on, interactive lessons to teach the six pillars of character to elementary school students. Club members take part in a monthlong teaching cycle that includes brainstorming, researching, creating plans, gathering materials, and rehearsing leading up to their teaching assignments. After teaching for the month has concluded, students take part in a debriefing/reflection activity before moving on to the next month’s cycle. Reflections focus on what the students have learned and feedback provided by teachers hosting the club members in their classroom. Each month, the club focuses on a different character trait.
Global Citizenship Initiative strand: positive social change