OH prides itself on having a wide variety of extracurricular activities and classes that cultivate learning and the development of various skills. The approximately 3,000 enrolled students at OH have many different ways to deepen their learning and pursue new interests, including honor societies.
High school is a time when many people discover their strengths within the classroom and beyond. With college only becoming more expensive and competitive, it is beneficial for students to join clubs, sports, or honors societies to help them stand out on applications and be considered for a higher amount of scholarship money.
Honors societies at OH extend past typical core subjects (math, social studies, science, and English), which provides more options and a better chance for every student to better represent their strengths and interests in school.
¨The core purpose of National Honor Society is to uphold its four pillars: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character,¨ said the National Honors Society (NHS) adviser Amy Dillon explained.
NHS is the overarching honors society at OH that highlights overall excellence in the classroom. It is invite-only and invites are sent out toward the end of January to any junior with a 4.0 GPA or higher.
¨NHS provides scholarship opportunities, a chance to build relationships with students and outside organizations, and a sense of accomplishment in being involved and representing your school,” said Dillon.
Rho Kappa is the social studies honors society and like NHS, it is nationally recognized. The main requirements for Rho Kappa are a 3.0 overall GPA, a 3.0 in all social studies classes, and 4 semesters of social studies classes with one of them being honors or AP completed by the end of the year they are applying.
Underclassmen who are hoping to be in Rho Kappa should ensure that they are ¨taking social studies classes and thinking about taking advantage of the numerous AP opportunities that are available in the Social Studies Department at OHS.¨ Rho Kappa adviser Scott White explained
Alongside Rho Kappa, OH also has Mu Alpha Theta (math), Science National Honors Society, and National English Honors Society for all of the core subjects offered, but the honors societies at OH represent far more than just core subjects.
Kimberly Stark is the adviser for the National Spanish Honors Society at OH. She explains that her honors society is a ¨very small organization because studying a language is very difficult, so the course requirements to join limits the amount of people eligible.¨
OH also has an honors society for students taking German and French. Caitlyn Workman is the adviser for the French Honors Society at OH. She explained that beyond studying the culture and language, the French Honors Society wants to further leadership skills among its members. She said that the French Honors Society ¨has student officers who run the meetings¨ in addition to herself as the adviser.
The Oswego Technical Honors Society (OTHS) is an honors society dedicated to CTE classes like culinary, business, early childhood, and more. Jennifer Musielak is one of the advisers for OTHS. She explained that ¨the goal is to recognize [students] who have completed various courses within the CTE umbrella.¨
OTHS only inducts seniors, however, you can apply early if you meet the requirements. The class requirements vary for each subject included in OTHS, however, an A grade average is needed to be inducted.
Katherine Conant is the adviser for the International Thespian Society at OH and she said it is for students ¨who are very involved in the Standing O Theater Company and who go above and beyond what they are supposed to do as well as being good role models for their peers.¨ The major requirement to join is being involved in every production that Standing O puts on. Whether that is acting or being behind the scenes, applicants must be involved in some way.
Brian Cronin is the adviser for the National Honors Society of Sports Medicine (NHSSM) at OH. He said NHSSM “is specifically geared to students interested in careers in sports medicine.¨ Alongside being enrolled in Honors Introduction to Athletic Training & Sports Medicine, students also need to end the class with an 87.5% or higher.
Cronin continued by expressing his gratitude for OH’s devotion to creating as many opportunities for students as possible by explaining how OH is the ¨first school in Illinois to become a chapter of NHSSM.¨
There are even more honors societies offered at OH than mentioned above, like Quill & Scroll for students in journalism, or Tri-M for students musically involved at OH. Regardless of people’s strengths and weaknesses as students, there is most likely an honors society for every student at OH.
I am a senior at Oswego High School. This is my first year on the 42Fifty staff. I am passionate about writing, fitness, music, and sports
So well written and interesting