HONORABLE: Poly’s National Honor Society takes part in bettering Riverside’s community, on and off of campus.
By Sarah Salmeron, Staff Writer
At the start of the 2018-2019 school year, clubs were relentlessly recruiting new members to help expand and improve their programs. Poly’s National Honors Society had one of the biggest growths this year regarding the recruitment of new members, ultimately improving the good deeds done all around Riverside.
The club’s advisor, Anthony Zlacket, an AP European History teacher, founded the club and ran it for the last five years. “I am there to facilitate their community service projects they (the students) decide to take on,” Zlacket said. The application process is very different than most clubs on campus; students are accepted based off their academic achievement, their leadership skills, and their character. This year, the club has well over 40 members, making this the largest group the club’s had in all five years of its existence.
Many clubs at Poly welcome their students with a PowerPoint or a speech explaining the purpose of the club, and what role the students will be taking on throughout the year. President of the National Honors Society, Serena Siddiq (12), gave a speech about her plans for the group this year and then the “Inductive Ceremony”, as Zlacket called it, began. Candles were lit, lights were dimmed, and new recruited members recited the National Honor Society pledge. New and returning members all gathered and celebrated, eating cake and preparing for the new year they will be spending together improving Poly’s campus and the Riverside community.
Taking care of the Riverside community has been one of the club’s biggest goals every year. Past projects the club has done for the community gave the National Honor Society a well known name on campus. Students have planted roses and trees along Victoria Avenue with a non-profit group, “Victoria Forever.” During the holiday season students wrap and give out Christmas presents to families in need. The chapter even put together a drive in which they make care packages for soldiers stationed overseas working with the non-profit “Operation Gratitude.” The large growth of the program should lead to more community projects, upholding their honorable reputation as a compassionate club.
The well-being of Riverside and Poly High School is always in the heart of the National Honor Society, inspiring them to do their best to improve the community they live in and better themselves as people.