NHS applications open ahead of Spring Induction Ceremony
The Class of 2024’s spring induction ceremony. Photo courtesy of St. Ursula Academy.
By Megan Walters-Aughney ’24
TOLEDO, OH – Applications to join the National Honor Society (NHS) have now opened to SUA’s upcoming seniors.
The annual Spring NHS Induction ceremony will take place on May 14, 2024 during Junior and Senior Honors Night. Mr. Dennis Maas, who has been St. Ursula Academy’s Chapter Adviser for 10 years, shared his thoughts on why the National Honor Society is important and beneficial for students to join.
“Being in the NHS is an opportunity to exercise leadership, service, strong academics and character-building combined. It truly does make a difference for the members in their future paths,” said Mr. Maas.
The base requirements of being admitted into the National Honor Society include, “a cumulative GPA of 3.980, no more than 24 unexcused absences during terms one to three of junior year and not having any out of school suspensions,” said Mr. Maas.
Once a student has taken the pledge as a member, they must then continue to meet the standards defined by their application and oath. Mr. Maas explained that “it’s a way to regulate yourself, especially to keep members focused on academics and their GPA.”
As a chapter obligation, SUA’s National Honor Society requires all members and officers to volunteer in at least two 50/50 sales at home games, two additional service hours per semester outside of the school requirement and two hour-long tutoring sessions in the Learning Commons.
When Mr. Maas took on the role of Chapter Adviser, he introduced the 50/50 sales as a new program to benefit the causes NHS supports. The profits collected all go towards funding service projects. Each year, Mr. Maas identifies school, local, greater community and global projects based on demand and need.
“We’re very service-focused here. We can provide things when necessary—whether it’s money or support,” said Mr. Maas.
Elected Officer and Vice President of SUA’s chapter of the National Honor Society, Maya Fitzgerald ’24, described this year’s fundraising causes.
“Some of the causes we’ve supported this year were raising money for and donating five new walkie-talkies to the maintenance staff, AP exam subsidies, a month’s supply of coffee to the (Veterans Affairs) Hospital in Ann Arbor and supporting victims of the wildfires in Hawaii,” said Fitzgerald.
When asked what some of the benefits of membership were, Fitzgerald concluded that “while it’s good to contribute to your college resume, you also build your soul and character.”
If you are currently ineligible or uninterested in joining the National Honor Society, there is another opportunity to apply ahead of second induction that takes place following term one of the next year.
