Story by Kaity Holmes. Photography by Vanessa Williams.
TULSA – A second induction ceremony welcomed more students of EPIC Charter Schools into the nation’s oldest national honor society.
The EPIC Chapters of the National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) held its first ceremony in Oklahoma City earlier this month. The second ceremony brought students to the campus of the Tulsa Community College on November 21.
One of the pillars and principles of the NHS and NJHS is community service. The EPIC chapters allow this practice statewide.
EPIC NHS leaders participated in a walk this past October at Wheeler Park in Oklahoma City. The event raised money and awareness about breast cancer.
Other EPIC NHS and NJHS students are working to start a clothes closet for flood and fire victims. The chapters are also creating a reading program at EPIC’s Blended Learning Centers in Tulsa and Oklahoma counties where members will read to pre-k through third graders.
“It’s really great to have our kids really spread across the state doing great things [through] NHS and NJHS,” Jordan Strain, principal adviser for NJHS, said.
NHS and NJHS membership also helps students learn and grow.
“I love working with students, it’s my passion,” Resa Anthony, EPIC’s NHS adviser said. “Seeing them grow into leadership roles is very fulfilling.”
Anthony said in NHS, teachers let students take the reins when it comes to planning service projects, leading induction ceremonies, and running the NHS and NJHS programs.
The EPIC NHS and NJHS chapters have continued to grow along with the school.
Anthony said she is confident the chapter activities will keep up with student growth. “With growth comes growing pains, [but] once we get that flow going it’s going to be great,” Anthony said.
