CHS National Honor Society doubles membership

The California High School Chapter of the National Honor Society members include seniors, as well as newly-inducted juniors and sophomores.
The California High School Chapter of the National Honor Society members include seniors, as well as newly-inducted juniors and sophomores.

Visitors to the Cargill Cares Food Pantry might see them sorting food for those in need.

Incoming freshmen and their parents follow them for their August orientation entering California High School.

And hundred of little ones have taken home goodies from Trick or Treat on Pinto Street, organized by them.

The California High School Chapter of the National Honor Society emphasizes community involvement as a reflection of its core values - character, scholarship, leadership and service.

The local chapter doubled its membership at its induction ceremony Sunday, March 8. Sponsors Cathy Hight and Kim Wilkins decided to expand the membership from seniors only to juniors and seniors.

Sophomores were inducted with juniors Sunday for the first time.

In addition to expanding the class eligibility, the local society also increased the qualifying minimum grade point average from 3.3 to 3.5. Potential members must also have completed 40 hours of community volunteerism and have shown good character.

"This is a high honor," said President Morgan Henley.

Last year, when she was inducted, Henley said she felt it was an accomplishment, beyond the annual academic banquet awards.

Historian Abby Strickfaden agreed, "I was relieved; the hard work paid off."

Membership also looks good on college applications and resumes, she said.

"It's one thing to make good grades," Henley said. "Being involved and having good grades is a struggle."

Society members have jobs as well as leadership roles and responsibilities in other school organizations like speech, music, DECA and FFA.

"It keeps my life from getting boring," Henley said.

The seniors agreed the changes to the society membership will help in continuity.

"By the second year, they'll be more familiar with the (activities), rather than having a new group every year," Henley said.

The manpower increase will allow the society in the future to expand existing projects or create new ones.

"Our goal is for the students to take over the organization," Wilkins said. "It will make it more what it should be."

As an example, this year's induction ceremony was led more by the officers and less by school officials, Hight noted.

"We'll really see a difference when this year's sophomores are seniors," she said.

The society's emphasis on community involvement may have lasting impacts.

Henley said she likes the focus and expects to continue volunteering after high school.

"It's been an eye-opener," Strickfaden agreed.