The National Honor Society (NHS) has opened applications for the 2023 NHS Scholarship Program, which awards $2 million to 600 high school seniors. The scholarship program recognizes students who embody NHS’ four pillars — scholarship, service, leadership, and character. This scholarship is supported by NHS’s parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
The scholarship program awards $25,000 to one national winner, and four other awards of $10,625 are given to students who exemplify each NHS’ pillars. Also, 20 finalists are awarded $5,625 in scholarships and 575 semifinalists are awarded $3,200 in scholarships.
“We’re excited to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of NHS student leaders and their contributions to their communities,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe in a press release. “We need these passionate and forward-looking leaders who apply their learning in the name of service and advocate for systemic change.”
NASSP will host Trailblazing Leadership week in Washington, DC which is an annual event where the 25 NHS Scholars and the 2022 State Principals of the Year come to celebrate and connect with each other. “The NHS Trailblazing Leadership Week was the most transformative experience I have ever had. I encourage anybody who is eligible to apply. This is not an opportunity you want to miss,” said Swetha Pendela, a 2022 NHS Scholarship Finalist in a press release.
“I feel NASSP gave us opportunities to have fun and get to know each other through fun activities like the spy museum and still be active,” says Avia Weber, a 2022 NHS Scholarship Finalist and freshman at the University of Pennsylvania. “The best part was advocating for causes with distinguished principals from across the country at The Department of Education, an experience I will never forget. On a funnier note, there was a hilarious platform we used called WooClap, and we made it a very hype chant!
“At the end of the trip, I remembered each of my fellow finalists for who they were, not what they did. I would relive that experience in a heartbeat, but I am so grateful I have been able to carry these meaningful friendships with me throughout my life.
“I was honored to be a Top 25 finalist for the NHS Scholarship last year in recognition of my involvement in school and my service with various organizations with causes for adoption, disability equity, and pediatric cancer philanthropy.”
The applications to the scholarship are open until November 30, 2022. To be eligible, a student must be a high school senior, a member of a National Honor Society Chapter, and plan to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. college or university, among other things.
For complete details, visit nhs.us/advisers/the-nhs-scholarship.
“The application process is all how you make it! One has the opportunity to choose the number of activities based on different pillars to write on,” Weber continues. “The prompts were very broad allowing me to share my passions and stories in any format. It was very meaningful for self reflection and ultimately helped me prepare for college applications too!”