The NSHSS Academic Paper Awards Competition deadline is May 1. Members may submit papers they have written as a junior or senior for a high school class. Winning papers have ranged from a psychological analysis of Raskolnikov in Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment," to a fascinating exploration of Muay Thai Kickboxing. Winners receive a $250.00 award and will be highlighted on the web site. Click here for guidelines: http://www.nshss.org/scholarships/academic_paper_award_form.pdf Our Winter "Scholar's Journal" is online and features articles by student members. Please click here to check out the Journal. The electronic journal offers a venue for you to get published. For submission guidelines, please click here. You'll also want to get involved in our new Scholar's Think Thank featured below. Mr. Nobel is challenging NSHSS members to voice their opinions on important issues in our new program called Scholars' Think Tank". This program will focus on your fears, dislikes, concerns, suggestions, solutions, and hopes for world betterment. In the coming months, we will work on problems and solutions that you identify, and Mr. Nobel will personally present the information we gather to business executives, politicians, the media, and world leaders at the United Nations - decision makers. You might not be able to vote in elections yet, but your voice needs to be heard. Take this opportunity to speak out! NSHSS Student Council members reflect on their first semester of college ... I cannot believe a whole term of college has gone by. I thought high school finals were rough--boy was I wrong. Finals week here at UCLA is known nationally for its brutality, ruthlessness, and most of all, long nights spent trying to study Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics but actually conversing with your floor mates about Schwarzenegger's future as governor of California and the night out that you all had ... fun :-). I have learned that college is an awesome experience that no one should miss out on, no matter what people say. Keep your senior grades high and good luck on college applications. (P.S. Don't freak out if you don't get in to where you want--there's always Graduate School!)" Anthony Eskander - UCLA '07 "My first semester at college was a good opportunity for me to expand on my knowledge of the world. I met many new people from different backgrounds and I also had fun. I wasn't expecting to get along with my roommate as well as I do. My advice on roommates is to stick in there if you aren't thrilled; it will get better. Classes were fun; just be prepared for them to be large if you go to a public college. I also think many incoming freshmen are not prepared to study as much as they need to. I know I took for granted the amount of studying I should do and as finals came, I had to study harder to make up for the times that I did not study. All in all I had a great first semester. Just try your hardest and don't try to be the best--just do YOUR best!" Ann-Marie Arida - Texas State University-San Marcos '07 Do you have exciting news about your college plans to share with your fellow NSHSS members? If so, please click here to announce your college acceptance. Katherine Lang Nacogdoches High School Nacogdoches, TX "I hope that I can help educate the public about cancer victims and how members of a family and community can help in the fight." Jenni Rhodes Stow-Munroe Falls High School Stow, OH "I will become a lawyer and bring some justice back to a very mixed up world. I plan to use my skills to fight for what I believe in and I will not back down until justice has been served." Seidale Shipman Hermitage High School Richmond, VA "I am a dedicated to my work both mentally and physically. I do believe that anything is possible if you put your heart into it." Brian Richard Vos Bishop Heelan High School Hinton, IA "I thank God for my family and the talents I've been blessed with, and consider it a personal responsibility to use my aptitude to assist others in need and to serve my community, my country and my world. " Shemir Wiles Wider Horizons Montessori School Spring Hill, FL "I want to reach out to young African-American teenage girls to let them know that they can succeed." Claes Nobel School of Distinction Is there something special about your high school? NSHSS is highlighting the high school of a member each month and will soon be showcasing that school's accomplishments in academics and community service in the Monthly Update. You can submit your school for this prestigious recognition by sending your name, school name, and explanation of why we should feature your school to editor@nshss.org. If your school has a website, please include that link as well. Visit the NSHSS Scholar's Store featuring great recognition items, such as honor cords and lapel pins, available only to members. Click here to shop or log into the Member Section of the website Scholars Speak Out Take our online poll and see how your opinion stacks up with your peers. CLICK HERE We want to know how you feel about "sharing" music from peer-to-peer networks and the implications for young people. The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) has recently instigated lawsuits against people who have "shared" music from peer-to-peer networks. Please take our quick survey to let us know how you feel about this issue. Please feel free to be candid in your responses. Survey results will not contain personally identifiable information. Dallas, Texas Love Field, Southwest Airlines Headquarters Date: Friday, March 12, 2004 Time: 11:30-1:30 Special luncheon and scholarship presentation hosted by Colleen Barrett, CEO of Southwest Airlines and NSHSS Advisory Board member. Email: rsvpdallas@nshss.org to rsvp with your name and number of guests