How Will You Celebrate?
NHS marks its 100-year anniversary on March 1, 2021. As we look to the future, NHS will continue to push the boundaries of student development, serving as the champion of student growth and achievement for the entire learning community. To help chapters around the world celebrate, we’ve created a tool kit to assist in planning activities and getting the word out to your community. Visit www.nhs.us/100/toolkit to find sample social media graphics, press releases, and an event-planning checklist.
Personal Leadership Development
The NatStuCo Distinguished Student Leader program is a rigorous knowledge- and skill-based recognition program that challenges students to complete a personal portfolio of their leadership accomplishments to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities. This portfolio serves as a record of their achievements and commitment as a leader, and can be used as a reference when applying for college and scholarships. Students must be in grades 9–12 and be on student council, enrolled in a leadership class, or have a leadership role in another school club or team. Students must also have adviser-verified student accounts, and the school’s affiliation with NatStuCo must be current. Visit www.NatStuCo.org/dsl for more information.
Recognize Outstanding Student Leaders
Help your NJHS students toward their postsecondary dreams and celebrate their accomplishments with the Outstanding Achievement Award, which recognizes students who embody the pillars of NJHS—scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Five hundred exceptional students will be rewarded with a $500 college savings account. The application process opens January 12, and eligible students must create a student account on the NJHS website in order to complete the online application. Familiarize yourself with the process at www.njhs.us/oaa.
Mark Your Calendar
National Student Leadership Week (NSLW) is an annual theme-based week dedicated to recognizing and supporting the vital role of student leaders. Since its origin stemming from a U.S. presidential proclamation in 1972, NSLW has served as a national celebration of students sponsored by NHS, NJHS, and NatStuCo. Save the dates for NSLW 2021, April 18–24, and begin brainstorming now for how to celebrate your student leaders!
Dates to Remember
December 2020
1 Rynearson Adviser of the Year nominations open
3 Adviser Webinar: “Member Discipline Issues”
10 Adviser Webinar: “NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award for Advisers”
16 Spotlight Webinar: “NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award for Students and Families”
January 2021
12 NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award applications open
February 2021
2 Spotlight Webinar: “National Honor Society and Academic Integrity”
14 Rynearson Adviser of the Year nominations close
16 National Council of Excellence applications due
18 Student Webinar: “It’s Never Too Early to Think About Getting Ready for College”
24 NJHS founded in 1929
March 2021
1 NHS Centennial (NHS founded in 1921)
16 NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award applications due
Year-End Reports open
Foster Leadership Growth
Help foster leadership skills that will last a lifetime. NatStuCo’s Emerging Student Leader recognition program identifies middle level student council members who have made significant strides at developing their skills as young leaders. Students who earn the designation have shown strong leadership aptitude and a willingness to continue improving. Download the Skills Checklist and Reflection Questions worksheet, and work with your middle level students to track the outlined indicators. Visit www.NatStuCo.org/emerging to learn more.
Excellence Deserves Recognition
Does your student council have a constitution and bylaws to help govern it? Are parliamentary procedures used during meetings? Do your members conduct projects that address a need at the school, promote school spirit, or serve the community? You may have already met many of the required indicators to be considered a National Council of Excellence. Review the criteria—and see if your student council meets the additional indicators to be considered a National Gold Council of Excellence! This year’s application process is all online. Review the required evidence for consideration and apply today at www.NatStuCo.org/ncoe. The application deadline is February 16.
“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”
—Mark Twain