Memorial’s NEHS Spreads Holiday Cheer, and Literacy

One of the largest groups on Memorial’s campus, National English Honor Society, is a national organization that focuses on promoting literacy and English and recognizing high-achieving students with honorable academics and conduct. Throughout the semester, members participate by earning volunteer hours through many philanthropic projects relating to the subject/language of English with the goal of promoting literacy around the school, as well as throughout the community. One of their projects is their Pen Pal Program, which partners with one of Memorial’s sister schools, Ridgecrest Elementary. Just as a typical Pen Pal relationship works, one high school student writes a letter to their designated elementary schooler, and the young student replies. By doing this, the students of NEHS model well-written English, handwriting, and letter crafting, which has inevitably become less prominent in our digital age. Though these letters may seem simple, the impact of real-world literacy practice and application can work wonders for young students, encouraging them by making reading and writing fun, and giving them hands-on practice. 

With this, as the holidays approached, NEHS held a drive to provide their Ridgecrest pen pals with a gift to take home, books! Students from the entire chapter were given an opportunity to earn last-minute hours before the end of the semester, and the Ridgecrest students gained dozens of new books for their shelves, such a holiday treat! As the drive progressed, it expanded to other clubs such as National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Rho Kappa, the social studies honor society. What started as a small gesture from NEHS to their friends at Ridgecrest turned into an all-hands-on-deck project that connected clubs from all around campus. With the help of these extra organizations, Ridgecrest Elementary gained over 100 new books of all genres and languages, just in time for the holidays! 

Throughout the year, National English Honor Society has gone above and beyond with their service, taking on intentional projects that make a true impact, their holiday book drive being just one example. Besides Pen Pals, NEHS students also have the opportunity to volunteer at Ridgecrest’s afterschool program, helping kids with their homework, and accompanying those who stay past school hours for childcare. Through these activities, Memorial has been able to develop an active relationship with the students and staff at Ridgecrest Elementary, embracing their SBISD family.