Important Dates for Members July Summer edition of "Scholar's Journal" available online August 1 Presidential Classroom/NSHSS Academic Scholarship Deadline Download Application August 15 Have a look at the Member Event Schedule and make your plans to attend. We hope you take advantage of these great opportunities to meet your NSHSS colleagues from around the country, as well as your NSHSS chairman, Mr. Claes Nobel. Our members find these events to be truly rewarding experiences. "I have never been so impressed by one event," said NSHSS member Amy Plimpton from New Jersey, who joined us in Washington, DC, for the May 1st Scholar's Day Celebration. "It was terrific to see all the different people at such an exciting event. Mr. Nobel was an amazing speaker and it was wonderful to meet so many people involved in NSHSS. I had a great experience." October 1 Submit online application for NSHSS scholarships in the member section of NSHSS website. New NSHSS Student Council members for 2004-04 will be featured in the summer edition of "Scholar's Journal." Shawntiah Jones, a student at Loyola University in New Orleans and an outgoing council member, offers this tip to NSHSS members: "A few words of advice to new students in college: Don't stress out. Your first year is a major adjustment period. Have fun, but not too much fun--don't overdo it. For seniors in high school: you need to stay focused; this is your last year and last chance to make the most of your high school career. Do your best!!" Tricia Treaccar TASIS- The American School in England, Thorpe, Surrey, UK http://www.tasis.com/ I am from Newport Beach, California. I attended Cambridge University last summer (2003) and currently I am attending 10th grade in Thorpe, Surrey, UK. Leaving sunny California at 15 and enrolling in a boarding school was a huge experience. I would like to share information with any U.S. high school student who may wish to consider high school abroad. There are 20 countries represented at my high school. In the course of a day I may hear 15 different languages, even though my sophomore class has only 90 students, with 350 in the entire high school. My appreciation of world-wide opinions, culture, and language expands daily. Aside from the tremendous academic education at TASIS, I think the opportunity to experience attitudes, current events and friends from other countries has created a lifelong appreciation and a desire to share my outlook and my approach with other teenagers. If you have question about attending high school abroad, please email editor@nshss.org for feedback from Tricia. The American School in England Mr. Nobel is challenging NSHSS members to voice their opinions on important issues in our new program called Scholar's Think Tank - The Voice of Youth. This program will focus on your hopes, concerns, suggestions and solutions for world betterment. In preparation for this new initiative, we are surveying members on issues important to young people. In April, we asked members to identify the three most important issues facing the U.S. President in the coming months. Overwhelmingly, NSHSS members selected the economy, the war in Iraq, and education. Also, our members are concerned about financing their futures as they approach adulthood. Last month, we asked whether states should require a financial need component for publicly funded college tuition grants and scholarships. The responses ran just about evenly, with the final results showing 50.9 in favor of a financial need component, and 49.2 saying no. This month, we want to know how you're spending the summer. We are excited about our new program of forums and chat designed to help our members connect with each other. Members are already getting to know each other in the forums. Whether you are looking for someone attending the same college, or with the same career interests, or just want to chat and make new friends around the world, visit the Member Connection Section. Rebecca Armstrong Detroit, Michigan Henry Ford Academy I am driven to put my best into everything I set out to do. I am my worst critic in life. I believe that education in all areas is a must do and one can never learn enough. Frank Lee San Nicolas Borja Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands Tinian High School I plan to break the walls that bar all islanders and the less fortunate across the world from reaching their full potential and fulfilling their dreams. I hope to be a prime example of how working hard and believing in oneself will pay off. Kristi M. Hector Atlanta, Georgia Cedar Grove High School I am totally committed to creating an environment that will foster positive exchange. When I am involved in any activity I feel that it is necessary for everyone to have an opportunity to provide input and receive recognition. Making a difference means sharing your time, talents, and skills while encouraging others to do so as well. Brittany Higgins Berkeley, Illinois Proviso High School People should know that I am devoted to succeeding in life and exceeding other's expectations of a black woman living in America. I also believe that being active in your community can be a positive influence in life. Kim Yates Forest Hill, Maryland Catholic High School I plan to make a difference by being a leader and not a follower. The world is filled with too many people who are trying to be someone they're not. I just want to be me and set a good example. The annual Academic Paper Awards Competition has been completed, with one of the strongest group of submitted entries we have seen. Our judges selected 10 winning papers, whose authors each receive a $250 award. Check out the wide range of topics that were explored - from Civil War medicine and the artist M.C. Escher to the Da Vinci Code and actual infinity - by clicking here. Visit the NSHSS Scholar's Store and check out a selection of great recognition items, such as honor cords and lapel pins, available only to members. We are offering a number of new items in the store, including six new t-shirts, with several new styles for ladies. Click here to shop or log into the Member Section of the website. Claes Nobel School of Distinction Award: Tashkent International School - Tashkent, Uzbekistan http://www.tashschool.org/ NSHSS is pleased to highlight the Tashkent International School, an American school in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. TIS was nominated by Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship winner Anna Rasulova. TIS is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and we are proud to salute the school with a Claes Nobel School of Distinction Award. In 2003, TIS was accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the only school in Central Asia to hold this distinction. TIS provides a rigorous academic curriculum; some of the school's major accomplishments include: Winning international CyberFair competitions for four consecutive years including three grand-prize winners; Winning competitions and awards in debate, creative writing, athletics, technology, and art; Being recognized by outside organizations for outstanding teaching and use of technology; Participating in community service activities to assist local schools and orphanages; Establishing a community of learners where excellence is the primary goal. Anna writes of her school that, "A close knit student body, dedicated teachers, support stuff, and parents make this an exceptional school." You can nominate your school for consideration by e-mailing Dr. Susan Thurman at susan.thurman@nshss.org with an explanation of why your school deserves this recognition. Be sure to include your name and contact information, the school's name and city, and a link to the school's website. We will feature our next selected school in September. We are excited about another year of prestigious member events which will be posted on the website in August. To view events for 2003-04 please visit our Member Events page. The most recent event was our annual Scholar's Day Celebration on May 1 in Washington, DC in the Caucus Room of the U.S. Senate. Click here for more photos. NSHSS Member Kara Skarda, U.S. House Page, (on left) with two of her fellow pages and Claes Nobel, NSHSS Advisory Board Chairman.