Courtesy Photo Members of Thunder Bay Junior High School’s National Junior Honor Society pose for a photo. NJHS earned a national award for overall honors.
ALPENA – Thunder Bay Junior High School’s National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) chapter has won a national award for overall honors, Alpena Public Schools announced in a news release Wednesday.
The award recognizes the department’s exemplary leadership, service and efforts to improve the school and community.
NJHS is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), which also oversees the National Association of Student Councils. Thunder Bay Junior High NJHS students collectively completed more than 1,200 volunteer hours and led a wide variety of service projects that had a significant impact on the community.
They decorated suitcases with a positive message for Hungry Hippies, created coasters for nursing homes, designed holiday cards for local VFW veterans, and made handmade toys for the Huron Humane Society.
The students also adopted seven local families at Christmas through the United Way, providing more than 150 gifts to the children. In addition, the chapter raised funds to purchase picnic tables for the school grounds, giving classmates an inviting place to gather and build community. “The NJHS Chapter Pillar Awards celebrate chapters that truly embody what the National Junior Honor Society represents – students who not only excel academically but actively strengthen their communities,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “Thunder Bay Junior High School’s chapter shows how powerful it can be when young leaders channel their talents into meaningful service and positive change.”
Katie Lee, principal of Thunder Bay Junior High School, said every student at NJH is deserving because they are committed to the community and strive to give back.
“We are incredibly proud of our NJHS students who have earned the Overall Excellence Award,” said Katie Lee, principal of Thunder Bay Junior High School. “This recognition reflects our students’ passion and dedication to not only academic achievement, but also to leadership and service in ways that strengthen our school and community. The students’ commitment to leadership, service, and scholarship has made a difference. This award is a testament to their hard work, collaboration, and the positive impact young people can have when they dedicate themselves to helping others.”
NJHS counselor Courtney Gagnon said she was honored to work side-by-side with the students and see their passion for their community.
“I am beyond blessed to be a counselor at Thunder Bay NJHS. The students went above and beyond the call of duty as members with the amount of volunteer hours, service projects, and keeping up the grades,” said Gagnon. “Many students participated in other extracurricular activities that adhere to the pillars of NJHS, demonstrating that they are excellent citizens of TBJH. Students made a positive impact not only at TBJH but also in the community, their dedication to helping shows that young people can make a positive impact!”
The NJHS Chapter Pillar Awards are prestigious recognitions celebrating the outstanding achievements of NJHS chapters across the country. In addition to the basic requirements, chapters must have successful activities that embody one or all of NJHS’ core values: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.