Although seniors are done with their college applications, underclassmen are still completing their applications for programs like NHS and ISM, both of which are due Friday.

Independent Study and Mentorship, or ISM, provides students the chance to shadow a mentor in their field of choice to explore possible career options.

“Once applications are evaluated, students who qualify for an interview will be notified,” ISM teacher Karene Goff said in a previous interview via email. “Students who thrive and are happiest in ISM have integrity and can be trusted to leave campus to conduct interviews and visit mentors, are highly intelligent and academically driven because the curriculum and schedule are demanding, and are committed to producing top quality work.”

The school’s National Honor Society, or NHS, gives juniors and seniors a chance to recognize their academic accomplishments and fosters an environment of involvement with the community.

“The benefit of joining NHS is that you get to form a community with a lot of like-minded individuals that value service, and all of our other pillars which are scholarship, leadership, and character,” NHS sponsor Makenzi Epps said. “I think it’s a good opportunity to really show off what you’ve worked hard for in school; this gives students a chance to see the fruits of their labor and use everything they’ve accomplished to do something really cool.”

Sophomore Maddie Aronson anticipates the opportunities that NHS will provide her to get more involved within the community.

“NHS helps with involvement and volunteer hours and gets you involved in the community,” Aronson said. “I’ve worked to get good grades and for volunteering I do anything that I can like coaching little kids’ teams for my club volleyball.”

Ultimately, many students applying for these programs look forward to the opportunities they will provide and believe that these programs will enrich their educational experience.

“I want to join ISM because it’s a great opportunity to get a headstart in my career; specifically, I want to go into medicine so it’s great to get my foot in the door and get exposed to the field while I’m still in high school,” junior Shenal Christian said. “I really feel like ISM will further my career and give me a good way to shadow.”