From classrooms to kitchens, and possibly nursing homes, the National Honor Society is redefining what student service looks like. Members tutor at Thomas A Edison Career and Technical Education High School and Abigail Adams Elementary, and even teach special education students how to cook and bake, helping them gain a deeper understanding of what is going on. The Acts of Service cultivate compassion, strengthen communication, and leave lasting marks on both the community and student resumes.
Students in the National Honor Society have signed up to be a part of Acts of Service in order to help students in our community. These acts of service reflect a growing trend of student organizations expanding beyond volunteering hours for our community needs. These students are forming ongoing partnerships to make a difference in younger peers and special education classrooms, showing how youth leadership can shape environments where students of all ages and abilities feel supported.
“Well, peer tutoring helps a student on a one-to-one basis. So the impact is really just getting comfortable with someone who can guide you, and it’s a peer, so you’re not intimidated,” said Ms. Petroutsos, Advisor. “The culinary program has a huge impact because our students participate in a rotation with our ACES students, who are, for the most part, separated in this building, but participate in one of the most successful classes.”
Now, during lunch periods or after school, students are giving back to their communities one step at a time. Teaching their peers how to achieve higher than their expectations. Showing that it’s more than just volunteering service hours to them, but more about helping them in the places they struggle the most.
“Some of them are really struggling in what they’re doing. There was a third grader who didn’t know how to read, and I taught her. I feel like they really need that one-on-one time to learn,” said Maryam Akber, Senior. “It feels fulfilling to give back to the community and help people who need it.”
While helping their peers, members of the NHS and their peers have learned how to grow more as people. Gaining so many skilled experiences helps them continue in their future career and social life.
“I would say I gain teaching and patience, because I move at a fast pace and I expect them to move fast too. But if you’re patient with them, they’re more willing to learn,” said Renee Ramnarine, Senior. “If they feel intimidated by you, they’re not gonna want to learn.”
“Our ACES students love to socialize with students outside of the culinary program. They love to ask NHS volunteers questions and learn more about them. As a result, we see an increase in socialization skills. We also see a higher degree of self-esteem because of the interactions amongst the students.” said Dr. Bellomo, Advisor for ACES.
NHS members use this opportunity to foster a genuine connection rather than viewing it simply as a chance to collect service hours for themselves. Many volunteers return week after week to build trust with younger students, learn their strengths, and offer consistent encouragement.
“Well, there are two types of students. There’s the student who does a lot because they want to make their application look good, and then there’s the student who does what they can because it makes them and other people feel good. And that’s more the type of student that we want at Edison,” said Ms. Petroutsos.
In classrooms and kitchens, the NHS students are learning about leadership, communication, and commitment. The NHS students aren’t trying to make their resume or transcript pretty; they actually want to make a difference for their peers and special education children and soon-to-be elders.
“We’re trying to reopen our partnership with the Margaret Tietz Nursing Home. It’s just a few blocks away from Edison. We used to have a partnership before COVID. COVID kind of interrupted that. So we’re trying to, one of our students in NHS wants to reopen the opportunity for community service activities there with the elderly. So we’re from elementary school to the elderly,” Ms. Petroutsos said.
