Highlands National Honor Society among 9 in state awarded for 'strengthening community'

Highlands senior Jabari Walker believes a strong community starts at school.

As a member of the National Honor Society, Walker said hosting year-round fundraisers helps district residents who need it most.

“We do a lot through NHS,” Walker said. “It’s important because it’s a chance to help people who don’t have a lot, to get stuff.”

Last year, the group raised more than $2,400 to support the nine local fire departments and also hosted a food drive that brought in more than 1,000 items to the Salvation Army in Brackenridge.

Efforts have earned them the National Honor Society Service Award of Excellence for demonstrating core values of scholarship, leadership, service and character.

The district is one of only nine schools across the state to receive the honor.

It is the second consecutive year Highlands was awarded.

“This group really is student-run,” said club liaison and high school teacher Jordan Murdock, who oversees 68 NHS students in 11th and 12th grades. “These kids put the work in and all the money raised for the community comes from their ideas.”

She said her students are already working on this year’s list of fundraisers and have chosen Tarentum-based Paws Across Pittsburgh as the recipient. The foster-based animal rescue along East Sixth Avenue finds permanent homes for more than 1,000 abused or unwanted dogs and cats each year.

Senior Lyla Vivirito, 17, said the recognition for NHS feels good because “our school sometimes gets a negative reputation.”

“I feel like this brings a light. There’s a lot of students who try to give back and support a tight-knit community,” she said.

Ronn Nozoe, CEO of the NHS parent agency National Association of Secondary School Principals, said the award is prestigious because it celebrates students who don’t just excel academically but who actively strengthen their communities.

“The Highlands High School chapter demonstrates how powerful it can be when young leaders channel their talents toward meaningful service and positive change,” Nozoe said.

In addition to other fundraisers, Highlands NHS students annually sponsor a cornhole fundraiser before Thanksgiving break and a holiday Stuff-A-Bus, which last year resulted in hundreds of toys gifted to the U.S. Marine Corps annual Toys for Tots campaign. They also hold a Spring Sanity festival that features a paid dodgeball tournament to raise money.

Senior Abby Lemmon said the school has become known for spirited events and successful fundraisers.

“It sets a good precedent where people in the community want to donate to the cause,” Lemmon said. “Everybody looks forward to these things now and it makes our school stronger.”