Like any other freshman, I imagined entering high school meant opening a whole new world of possibilities. It meant finding my people, expanding upon my interests and discovering new passions I could explore throughout the years. One way I planned to do this was by joining various clubs, including the well-known National Honor Society.

However, I was soon disappointed to learn that as a freshman, I would not be able to become a member of the NHS. This is frustrating, especially since students of all grades would benefit from being able to join the NHS community early in high school.

NHS, an international organization, has chapters in high schools across America. It has specific guidelines to become a member, one of which is being a sophomore or older, NHS president, senior Sarah Meier said. 

Freshman year is significant for exploring new activities and honing in on specific passions. Being able to join NHS would allow new students to preemptively evaluate their interest in the club. 

These opportunities are especially meaningful at a younger age because they offer ways for students to be involved in the school community early on, broadening their horizons. Exposure to a large and connected community, such as NHS, can influence who students become throughout high school.

Furthermore, almost all returning NHS members are accepted, whereas 75% or less of new applicants are accepted into the club, Meier said. Freshmen expressing more enthusiasm in NHS would be more likely to get in as sophomores, increasing their chances for personal growth.

Aside from benefitting freshmen, the club would have a significant boost in membership, allowing NHS to host more impactful events. Instead of only hosting regular volunteering events, NHS could execute larger events, like charity galas for various causes.

Unfortunately, NHS requires members to be sophomores or older, a guideline set by the entire organization, not just HHS’s chapter. This is because members need to have a 3.5 GPA or higher, Meier said, which cannot be achieved as a freshman who has yet to complete their first year in high school. 

Still, a great workaround would be having freshmen experience the club as if they were members, just without the title. This compromise allows freshmen to gain more insight into NHS. They can participate in the club’s activities, earn volunteer hours and get to know the community as junior members. 

Joining a club and becoming a part of a community is foundational to a fulfilling high school experience. NHS, as an organization meant to empower young students, should remove the barriers that hold freshmen back from achieving this. Eventually, this change will help shape students into valuable members of their community.