By Nasro Araye
Managing Editor
Rochester STEM Academy is a public charter school located in Rochester. It is one of the very first STEM high schools in Minnesota.†
The mission of the school is to not only create a community that exposes students to STEM through mentorships, enrichment, specialized programming, internships, and field trips, but also to create an environment for minority, immigrant, and other underrepresented students to challenge themselves by having programs that focus on college-preparation creativity, accountability and high-academic achievements.†
One way the school helps recognize studentsí achievements is through the National Honor Society. National Honor Society is a national organization that serves to recognize students who have shown not only academic achievements but also in character, leadership and service.†
ìFour main purposes have guided chapters of NHS from the beginning: to create enthusiasm for scholarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote leadership; and to develop character in the students of secondary schools,î according to the official NHS website. There are many chapters all over the nation and said to have more than 1 million students who participate in NHS activities.†
Rochester Stem Academy opened a chapter to allow its students to benefit from the National Honor Society, such as NHS scholarships.†
Last year, juniors and seniors who were part of NHS were able to volunteer and engage in community service projects. They hosted events to help the school and the community.†
This year, the students who are a part of NHS are working on using those volunteer opportunities and service projects and taking the skills they are learning and implementing them so that they make an impact on the community and school.†
They are working on fundraising for a LEAD conference trip to learn new leadership skills to improve their school and community culture.