CONNEAUT —
Conneaut High School's chapter of the National Honor Society is up and running with its new adviser, Emily Wacker.
Mrs. Wacker attended the University of Mount Union where she majored in theater and mass-media. She graduated from Mount Union in 2000 and received a degree in education from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. She started as a substitute teacher with the Conneaut Area City School District in 2001. She was permanently hired as an English teacher at Conneaut High School in 2006, and now she teaches the media production class, along with various English and drama literature classes.
Mrs. Wacker is not only CHS National Honor Society adviser, but she is also the adviser of Conneaut High School's Thespian Troop, something that she loves. They are the ones responsible for all of the high school's entertaining drama productions.
When asked to describe the National Honor Society in one sentence, Mrs. Wacker replied, "NHS is a service organization for students who excel in leadership, academics and volunteerism."
It is a great honor to be inducted into the National Honor Society, and it is not easy. Members must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, along with many other strict requirements. If they do not, they may be faced with dismissal from the society.
So far this year, the NHS has completed quite a few community service projects, and the year is far from over.
Every school year, the National Honor Society hosts two bloodmobile drives at CHS. Usually there is one in the fall and one in the spring. This past fall, Conneaut High School exceeded its goal of 50 pints of blood to be donated to the drive. This means that one CHS student will have the opportunity to receive a $500 scholarship. Thank you to all students and staff who donated!
During the holiday season, members from NHS volunteered their time ringing the Salvation Army bell for their annual Red Kettle collections. Some of the members really enjoyed themselves, singing Christmas carols and spreading the holiday cheer!
Also in December, Conneaut High School had the annual "Food Wars" food drive. NHS helped out by collecting the food items from homeroom classes and then counting them. By winter break, CHS had collected more than 1,700 canned goods for the Conneaut Food Pantry. The junior class came out on top and won the "Food Wars." Later this school year, the juniors will be receiving a class party for their hard work. That really shows some Spartan pride — go juniors!
On Jan. 13, Conneaut hosted Edgewood's boys’ basketball team at Garcia Gymnasium. It was Cancer Awareness Night so NHS members made and sold baked goods and cancer awareness bracelets. The proceeds will be donated to various cancer awareness and research organizations. Students and fans were also encouraged to wear pink for a "PINK-out" supporting breast cancer awareness.
Mrs. Wacker is already planning service projects for the rest of the school year including collecting supplies for the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League and visiting residents at the Villa on the Lake during the non-holiday seasons to cheer them up when they don't normally get many visitors. But that's not all, there is still much, much more before this year is over.
The National Honor Society will also be holding some fund-raisers in the next few months to raise money for their annual trip. Members will be selling gourmet cookie dough, candy bars and fruit snacks as a healthier alternative.
On Feb. 16 in Garcia Gymnasium, NHS will be holding a Valentine's Day Dance. The proceeds from the dance will go toward funding the trip. They are considering having a Valentine's Day Court nominated, with a Valentine's Day queen being crowned.
This year's trip has been planned very carefully by Mrs. Wacker. She is putting a lot of time and hard work into organizing everything so that it is a success. She has planned this year's trip for New Orleans, La. It is her personal focus, she says, to get the students to appreciate the different cultural aspects of our country and world. She said New Orleans is a place that has a rich, historical background and has overcome a terrible tragedy, and that is why she thinks that New Orleans will be a great experience for the members, and a treat for all their hard work throughout the year. The trip is planned for May.
We would like to send out a special "thank you!" to Mrs. Wacker for all that she does for our school and community.
School Columnists
Related Photos
-
Brinda Patel and Sarah Herrmann
-
CONNEAUT HIGH School National Honor Society members Lauren Lebzelter, Bennett Coltman and Teaona Wadsworth prepare for their bake sale as Amanda Hall sizes up the treats. NHS members made and sold baked goods and cancer awareness bracelets for Cancer Awareness Night Jan. 13 at the boys’ basketball game. The proceeds will be donated to various cancer awareness and research organizations. (Photo by Artemis Mermis)
Discussion
Conneaut NHS to host Valentine's Day dance
- School Columnists
-
-
A-Tech students shine at state competitions
Many students at Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus belong to several national associations which enable the students to showcase their talent in a competitive environment. Two of these organizations, FCCLA and SkillsUSA, recently held state competitions in which A-Tech students competed against students from around the state of Ohio.
-
Service is key focus of National Honor Society
As the 2012-2013 school year draws to a close, Lakeside students are still performing at their best. Most notably, a group of 29 juniors were recently rewarded for their hard work, academic success and devotion to their school and community.
-
Joel Penton encourages students to reach high
Joel Penton, a graduate of The Ohio State University, spoke to the students of Conneaut High School on April 30. Penton is known nationally for his athletic ability as well as his motivational speaking. Penton played football as a Buckeye for five years and has been a member of three Big Ten championship teams. Penton also proudly wears his National Championship ring. He has also received an award that is given to only one football player throughout the country, the Wuerffel Trophy for humanitarian work. Penton achieved many things in his lifetime and as a football player at OSU.
-
Geneva Thespians dedicate performance to victim of Holocaust, donate funds to Washington museum
The final month before summer break is always met with enthusiasm among the students of Geneva High School. Through this heightened excitement, students are finding old, new and truly exciting ways to “go out with a bang.”
-
Grand Valley Choir competes at state event
The Grand Valley High School choir program is preparing for a very exciting event. The high school choir is participating in the Ohio Music Education Association State Choir Contest this month.
-
Jefferson baseball team begins season with N.C. tourney
Over spring break, as many high school students were filling up on chocolate bunnies and absorbed into Netflix, Jefferson Area High School’s varsity baseball players were competing in Tarboro, N.C., at the Easter Classic. Directed by coach Scott Barber, the boys engaged in tough competition, strengthened their bond as a team and improved their skills as baseball players.
-
Members of Youth Leadership class visit Grand River Academy
The Ashtabula County Youth Leadership class was invited to Grand River Academy in April in order to get a firsthand look at a boarding school lifestyle. The students were given tours around by some of Grand River’s student ambassadors and were given the opportunity to learn from GRA students. For many of these students, it was their first time interacting with GRA, so it was a new experience for them.
-
Lakeside seniors are victorious in annual class tournament
Lakeside High School morale is at a high point in the year with the conclusion of the annual class tournaments. Class tournaments have taken place nearly every year since the joining of Ashtabula and Harbor high schools in 2001, and were an annual event at Harbor High School before that. During the two-day event, which is planned by the Student Council, the freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors engage in head-to-head battles and compete for glory. Class tournaments create a sense of brotherhood at Lakeside and motivate students to finish out the year strong.
-
Night of One Acts promises lots of laughs
In the month of April Geneva High School is overflowing with talent. In fact, on April 23 at 7 p.m., GHS students will be presenting their very own talent show. Countless acts will perform for all who wish to attend. Advance tickets are $3 and tickets at the door will be $5.
-
Dodgeball games raise funds and school spirit
As the countdown until spring break dwindled down at Conneaut High School, students were able to participate in an all-time favorite, the annual dodgeball tournament. This event, which took place on March 27, brought all the students together to showcase their competitiveness and school spirit.
- More School Columnists Headlines
-
