Moving to the virtual learning environment has presented our ASH community with new ways to meet and this includes adapting our on-campus traditions to online versions. A great example of this happened last week, when the ASH high school chapter of NHS (National Honor Society) held their induction ceremony over Google Meets, celebrating their 24 new members who will actively participate in the ASH chapter during our next school year. The ceremony included Teacher Advisor Ms. Nightingale welcoming all attendees and co-presidents Justine N. and Lilikoi R. giving addresses. In addition, current chapter members spoke about the four pillars - scholarship, service, leadership and character, that form the foundations of the society. ASH Director Dr. Lowe and HS Principal Ms. Reykdal offered their words of encouragement and congratulations to all members of the chapter. The ceremony concluded with the new inductees reading the NHS pledge.

 

We love how the ASH chapter of NHS rose to the challenge of recreating the ceremony online to ensure that their new inductees were honored and given the recognition of what they have achieved in being invited to join the NHS. We spoke with Ms. Nightingale and Justine N. about what being a part of the ASH chapter of NHS means and how they have adapted their traditions and operations to the virtual learning environment.

 

 

“... is to be a positive influence in our community, both inside the school walls and beyond. We do this in many ways - some small and some large. We try to make people's days brighter by sharing our holiday gram messages, by helping tutor all kinds of subjects, by organizing a Christmas party at the nearby nursing home, by recognizing each advisor to all the clubs in school, by organizing used clothing drives, by running mini sports camps for elementary students, by being positive role-models in class, by running out TEDx talk, by running the 'Night to Remember' talent show.

 

Every member of our chapter must complete 15 service hours and design and complete an individual service project. This gives them the opportunity to develop something that they are passionate about. During this time of virtual learning... they are earning hours by activities such as spring cleaning projects around the house; cooking dinner for your family or cooking a meal and delivering it to the front door of someone's house; completing yard work at home; picking up litter around the neighborhood and the list goes on!"

 

 

A: I would summarize the ASH chapter of NHS by saying: the ASH chapter of NHS is a group of hard-working diligent students who look to excel not only academically but also in helping others in their community in creative ways.

 

A: An induction ceremony on campus would involve the presence of parents and other family members, food, cake, a short speech read about each inductee by current NHS members, as well as the lighting of the NHS candles.

 

A: To move this ceremony online, we have had various conversations with the executive committee over Google Meets and have decided what we can still include and what we will leave for a real-life ceremony at a later date. In order to introduce our inductees online, we have made a Google Slides presentation with a slide for each inductee so their names can be read out with a nice picture of them on the slide.

 

A: NHS members working to get their individual service hours have had to find new and creative ways to do this at home - for example, baking for their family or babysitting (with no pay) to get hours. The executive committee has been meeting on Google Meets.

 

A big congratulations to all new inductees of the ASH chapter of NHS!