The Mycenaean

Leesville is home to a multitude of National Honor Societies: National Art Honor Society, National French Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Honor Society for Dance Arts, National Honor Society of Sports Medicine, among others. This year the Science National Honor Society (SNHS) is joining the list at Leesville.

Why have a SNHS Chapter at Leesville?

“There are a lot of National Honor Societies at Leesville that cover a ton of topics… but we don’t have something for science,” said Morgan Willis, a senior who is the president of SNHS. “We want to be able to recognize the science programs we have at Leesville, and also get people more involved,” said Willis.

SNHS was established as an American honor society in 2000. It provides students with scholarship opportunities, as seen when more than 2,500 students received full scholarships or financial aid through the National College Match last year. There are 1600 chapters in all 50 states, plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and American schools around the world.

The Science National Honor Society at Leeville will be a place where students can join together in scientific thought, community service, and scientific activities. Their website details the purpose of the club, has a blog, and a way to contact the officers with questions or concerns.

Membership

To be inducted into SNHS a students must be enrolled in at least one honors or AP science class during the current year. They also have to be a junior or senior, have completed at least one honors or AP level science class during or before junior year, have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher in science classes and a 3.0 or higher GPA overall.

To maintain membership, students have to complete tasks similar to other national honor societies: pay required dues, attend all meetings, abide by good conduct, and complete 10 hours of approved science-related activities each year of membership. However, they also have to maintain an unweighted GPA in science classes and overall of 3.0 or higher, and take an honors or AP science class during year of membership.

Morgan Willis and Science

“I really love science and it’s what I want to do with my life,” said Willis, who decided to start a Leesville SNHS chapter because of her captivation.

Willis remembers always enjoying science after she took biology with Dr. Eagle her freshman year. She’s gone on to take AP Environmental Science and AP Chemistry– her two favorite sciences.

“I want to go into either chemical engineering or environmental chemical engineering,” said Willis. Environmental chemical engineers usually develop sustainable technologies focusing on water and wastewater treatment and reuse, pollution prevention, resource recovery of waste, sustainability, and environmental safety.

The two universities Willis has in mind for college are the North Carolina State University College of Engineering and Brigham Young University in Utah. Brigham Young is known for being one of the top colleges in the West for student engagement (Wall Street Journal), while NCSU Engineering has a robust  research department.

Science isn’t always forefront in Willis’ mind, though. She enjoys an eclectic range of activities in her free time. When she’s not doing homework Willis is practicing her violin. She’s been a part of the Leesville orchestra for seven years, and is currently in the advanced chamber class. Willis also hangs out with her friends while participating in regular teenager activities.

The Future

Willis hopes that the establishment of a Leesville SNHS will benefit scientific minds long after she graduates. Willis believes creating a place where “everyone can just get together and do science” will foster more young scientists to become the future of scientific exploration and research in America.

Activities and events that the Leesville SNHS might hold in years to come include science tutoring, science fairs, and science lectures. Science nights that involve educating the community on scientific topics also might occur.

Participation in activities is as important as running them. Attending local elementary and middle school science nights as guest speakers can encourage children to be interested in science. Occasionally taking part in other local high school’s science nights will help further the scientific growth of SNHS members at Leesville.

The future of Leesville’s Science National Honor Society is shaping up to be a bright one full of education.