Member Events 2005

Upcoming Events 2006

A celebration of academic achievement, member events are open to all members and their immediate family at no charge. Mr. Nobel participates in the events as a featured speaker, and also meets and greets members. Advisory board members are invited to attend (participation depends on their individual schedules).

Read below to see what happened at recent Society events.  View Event Photo Gallery.

Boston, Massachusetts - Member Event Harvard University

On February 19, 2005, 300 NSHSS members, guests, and distinguished teachers gathered on the Harvard campus in the Fogg Art Museum for a special program featuring a keynote address by Harvard Dean of Admissions William R. Fitzsimmons. The Dean remarked how he was struck with how similar the ethos and the mission of NSHSS and Harvard are and applauded the work we are doing. He talked about the mechanics of the admissions committee process, and what Harvard looks for in an application

NSHSS Chair Claes Nobel also addressed the group and personally presented awards to scholarship recipients Katherine Van Schaik, Carolyn Amole, and Folasade Odeniyi, members now attending Harvard, and to Anna Rasulova, now attending Brown. Katherine and Anna, both NSHSS student council members, spoke to the students about their college experiences.

We also recognized “Scholar’s Journal” author Natasa Kovacevic, recently featured on the homepage of our website, and Sarah Varnerin, whose nomination of her high school, Bishop Feehan High School, in Attleboro, Massachusetts, led to her school’s selection for a Claes Nobel School of Distinction Award .

We were also pleased to honor area Educators of Distinction selected by New England members as favorite teachers and inspiring role models. After the program, members had the opportunity to at the reception in the museum to meet each other, Mr. Nobel, student honorees, and staff.

“The speakers at Harvard were WONDERFUL--beyond wonderful! I was truly inspired by Mr.Nobel especially. It really re-invigorated me and I am even more energized to conquer!!!”

Diana Metobo
James Bowie High School Arlington, TX

“The program at Harvard was wonderful. I felt honored to be recognized by NSHSS. I believe the work of Claes Nobel is very important to the survival of our planet and I commend him for his efforts.”

Roy A. Immonen
Educator of Distinction
Foxborough High School
Foxborough, MA

“I was honored to attend the Member Event at Harvard University and enjoyed it very much. Every speaker was incredible and inspiring! I am so glad I went and The Fogg Museum was an added bonus. Thank you very much.”

Daniel Babai
Sharon High School
Sharon, MA

Harvard Photo Gallery

San Diego, California - Member Event USS Hornblower

San Diego Program

San Diego Photo Gallery

Dallas, Texas Member Event - Southwest Airlines Headquarters

On March 30, 2005 Advisory Board member Colleen Barrett, President of Southwest Airlines, hosted a member event at her headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Colleen and her staff provided a mouth-watering lunch at our member program for nearly 300 members, guests, and Educators of Distinction. Ms. Barrett encouraged students to "follow their passion," advising them not to accept a position merely for money or prestige. She emphasized that we all need to love what we do in order to be happy. The Dean of Admissions from SMU also spoke to the group, as did NSHSS Chair Claes Nobel, who personally presented a Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship to Dallas home-schooled student Jason Ferguson and recognized several area teachers selected by members as important role models.

"I was deeply moved by Mr. Nobel's speech, and my first reaction was to ask, "What can I do? How can I help make a difference?" - Jessica Miltenberger, Georgetown, Texas Read Jessica's comments about the event in Dallas and a summary of remarks from SMU Dean of Admissions Ron Moss.

Excerpt from remarks by Ron Moss, Dean of Admissions at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas
Click here for video of the Dean's speech

Students often wonder who decides whether a student is accepted to the college of their dreams. The decision makers vary from institution to institution but can be comprised of admissions staff, faculty and faculty committees, and sometimes even students or alumni. The goal of any admissions team is to admit a well-rounded class. They want to admit a few geniuses, a few eccentrics, as well as lots of leaders and doers.

Your admissions application is a portrait of who you have become. You should try to represent all of your interests and accomplishments. Remember that colleges need people who do and contribute, not merely the leaders. And, always be sure to check your applications essay very carefully for errors.

Colleen from Southwest Airlines was a great hostess. I enjoyed hearing her speak about Southwest and the wonderful people that work with her. It was cool to meet such a powerful woman. It was very impressive for a person in her position to take time to host a luncheon for a group of high school students.
Leslie Perizzo

South Garland High School

Washington D.C. - Annual Scholar's Day and Member Event

Click Here to view photo album of the Scholar's Day event

Nearly 500 members and guests gathered from 26 states to celebrate our annual NSHSS Scholar's Day on May 7, 2005, in the Cannon Caucus Room of the U.S. House of Representatives. The grand event honored our members, scholarship recipients, and Educators of Distinction as we kicked off National Scholarship Month in the U.S. Speakers included William Conley, Dean of Admissions from Johns Hopkins University, and NSHSS Chair Claes Nobel, as well as Paz Magat, participant in the World Scholar Athlete Games and the Hon. Jack Buechner, President of Presidential Classroom. NSHSS Student Council member Anya Rasulova also spoke to members. Guests were entertained by the Annandale Singers, an award-winning madrigal group from Annandale High School, Virginia, and treated to a reception following. You can view the program and read Anya's remarks.

Oklahoma City Member Event - Hosted by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

On November 5, 2005, NSHSS members and guests attended a special event hosted by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, in Oklahoma City, at the prestigious downtown Petroleum Club, followed by a campus tour of the nearby University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, a series of seven health-related colleges. Mr. Nobel spoke to the group, as did Dr. Robert Con Davis-Undiano, Dean of the Honors College at the University of Oklahoma, and Dr. Joseph J. Ferretti, Senior Vice President and Provost of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Mr. Nobel presented a scholarship to Oklahoma student Chris Brydges and recognized area Educators of Distinction. Mr. Nobel also spoke to high school students at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics. http://www.ossm.edu (pictured below)

I thought it was really awesome meeting Mr. Nobel. He sets a high standard of excellence for all of us, and I hope to achieve it someday. Listening to him speak was incredible. I also enjoyed the tour of the OU medical school. It was a great opportunity for me to be able to speak with the Dean of the Honors College. Hopefully you will see me attending there in the near future. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.--NSHSS member Chris DuVall, Tahlequah High School, Tahlequah, OK

View video of Claes Nobel OKC television interview

2004 Member Events

2003 Member Events