Claes Nobel with member Rosangela Gonzalez of San Juan, Puerto Rico No Strings Attached entertains NSHSS members Claes Nobel and James Lewis enjoy the program

On Saturday, December 1, NSHSS members, families, and teachers from 26 states gathered at The Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, Georgia, for an inspiring program honoring our scholars and distinguished educators, followed by a college panel and fair with sixteen universities participating. Dr. Michael Lomax, President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, congratulated and motivated the audience, and NSHSS Chair Claes Nobel delivered the keynote address, inspiring students to accept the challenge of becoming tomorrow's leaders. The theme of the program was "Learn, Lead...Change the World."

To open the program, Loula Davenport of Senator Johnny Isakson's office read a proclamation from Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announcing December 1 as National Society of High School Scholars Day in the State of Georgia. Ms. Davenport also introduced a congratulatory video message from Senator Isakson to NSHSS members. Charlie Harman, representing Senator Saxby Chambliss, read a special congratulatory letter to our members from President Bush.

Dr. Lomax spoke to the need for a different type of leadership, a leadership role that is critical to the future, that of in-family mentor. Rather than leaving the encouragement and motivation for continuing education and excellence to schools, parents, and organizations, Dr. Lomax challenged the audience members and all the scholars of NSHSS to take on an active role of encouragement and support in the home and the schools.

New partnerships and programs were unveiled during the event. NSHSS new corporate partners Abercrombie & Fitch and IBM announced scholarship and research opportunities for members. We look forward to working with these partners to provide valuable benefits for our scholars. Additionally, Rebecca O'Brien of Griffith College Dublin announced $5,000 in scholarships to be awarded to NSHSS members in 2008.

Ms. O'Brien came not only as a partner of NSHSS, but as a representative of international education and its importance to the future of the world. In her role at Griffith, she works as an international education liaison. Ms. O'Brien and Mr. Nobel have been speaking to each other about a new program promoting international cooperation, cultural exploration, and conflict resolution. This program will be offered for the first time to NSHSS members only in the summer of 2008.

The collegiate panel, including several deans of admission from participating institutions, was moderated by Nancy Beane, College Counselor of Westminster Schools in Atlanta. The panel discussed various elements of the college application process: timelines, common applications, early action and early decision, interviews, college visits, college selection, and much more. After the program, members had the opportunity to meet with the college representatives and to ask questions and network with them in a college fair setting. Top international universities working with NSHSS also sent materials for our members to review at the college fair. These collaborating schools are highlighted in our International Showcase. The college representatives were struck with the caliber and diversity of the NSHSS members who visited their booths; Stanford University representative Magnus Christon described the members he met as "beyond impressive!"

Universities participating in the panel discussion and college fair included Duke University, Emory University, Georgia Tech, Louisiana State University (LSU), Griffith College Dublin, Southern Methodist University (SMU), Spelman College, Stanford University, Tulane University, the University of Georgia, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Texas at Austin, Vanderbilt University, Wake Forest University, and Yale University.

Student Council Member Erick Paulino captivated the group with his account of overcoming a number of negative influences to take on the challenge of excelling academically as a first-generation college freshman. Erick is a Gates Millennium Scholar as well as a Horatio Alger National Scholar. Claes Nobel personally presented NSHSS scholarships to Waynekid Kam, of Duke University; Natasha Ward, of Spelman College; and Robert Wheeler, of MIT.

Holiday music was provided by "No Strings Attached," a highly acclaimed a capella group from Emory.

NSHSS looks forward to holding our annual holiday program at The Carter Center in Atlanta, on December 6, 2008, and we wish everyone happy holidays and a great new year.