Monthly Update


	Important Dates - Scholarship Deadlines November 30, 2004 - deadline to apply for NSHSS academic scholarships. The application is online in the member log in area of the website. You may update the application until the deadline. Finalists will be contacted by mail and will then be requested to submit a personal statement and recommendation form. Winners will be announced in early 2005. February 1, 2005 - Robert P. Sheppard Leadership Award for outstanding initiative in community service. May 1, 2005 - Academic Paper Awards competition. August 1, 2005 - Presidential Classroom Public Service Scholarship for NSHSS Members.

	NSHSS members gathered on October 2 at the historic Pfister hotel in Milwaukee to meet and hear Chair Claes Nobel and other speakers in conjunction with the annual conference of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors. Students learned how to take advantage of educational partnerships with Presidential Classroom and People to People, as well as heard scholarship search tips from FastWeb. One highlight included remarks from the Mr. Robert Blust, Dean of Admissions at Marquette University, who was delighted to spend time with such outstanding students. Below are a few tips from his advice about the college admissions process, which he refers to as the "college-going process." photo by Nick Szablewski Robert Blust, Marquette University Dean of Admissions (with Claes Nobel), encouraged NSHSS members to "Be the difference."

	1. Continue to ask questions Explore--be curious. Ask yourself why you want to go to college in the first place. What are your dreams? Having a handle on these things is really important in picking the absolute 'right' college or university for you. 2. College Lists Avoid relying too heavily on "best college" lists. The best college on a list might not necessarily the best college for you. There is a best college for you, but what is on the list doesn't necessarily represent what you need to fulfill your goals and your dreams. 3. College Path Pick a college path that you have a passion for--pick a path that will give you the liberal background that you need to get a good understanding of what is important. You need to be able to speak well and write effectively for any career. Remember this when you are choosing a school and when you are in school. 4. Make a difference. You can make a difference in the world. Go out and do it, be prepared to do it. "Be the difference." 5. And don't forget to have fun with the process. Review more questions to ask yourself in selecting a college from the University of Arizona admissions office

	NSHSS has partnered with People to People Ambassadors Program and is sponsoring one tuition scholarship for NSHSS members who attend a program in 2005. The scholarship application will be available on the website soon, so keep posted for details.

	Robert Rowe is an Atlanta native who graduated from the Westminster Schools in May, 2001 where he was a varsity athlete, choir member, and class officer. Robert currently is a pre-med student at Princeton where he runs track and sings in the a cappella group, The Princeton Tigertones, who have toured throughout Europe, Japan, the British Virgin Islands, and the East Coast. Robert suggests that you might want to take a moment in your college-planning process to think about your life at school: Your Room Ah yes, you're room. Its the one place on or near campus that is yours. Cherish it, honor it and love it and it will love you right back. Oh, and every once in a while it's probably a good idea to clean it. It helps keep bugs out and more importantly shows your parents how responsible you are. I think I've fooled mine so far. Read more...

	Connect with other members in the NSHSS forums. Chat with members from around the globe. Visit the Member Connection Section.


If you would like to be considered for the monthly Member Showcase, please click here.

Chrystine Atkinson Hilton, New York Hilton Central High School
"Live life to the fullest!"

Katie Hamm Shawnee, Kansas Shawnee Mission Northwest
"Try something new because if you always do what you have always done, you are always going to get what you have always gotten."

Kylie Danielle Palmer Milo, Maine Penquis Valley High School
"I want to teach people to be more open-minded and possibly eliminate some of our society's hate barriers."

Thanis (Ty) Pankam Port Orange, Florida Spruce Creek High School
"I would like to have my 15 minutes of fame every day."

Hetal Patel Marlboro, New Jersey Colts Neck High School
"My future includes building human relations through kindness and an open mind."

Visit the NSHSS Scholar's store and check out our selection of great recognition items like honor cords and lapel pins, available only to members. Shop in the member section of the web site or print out an order form.

The Winter edition of "The Scholar's Journal" will be available in mid-January 2005. The Journal includes articles by and for members. Add a publishing credit to your resume-- submit articles by December 10, 2004, for consideration. Check out previous articles at this link and review the article guidelines here.


	On October 8, 2004, Kenyan environmental activist Wangari Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize for her work as leader of the Green Belt Movement, which has sought to empower women, improve the environment, and fight corruption in Africa for nearly 30 years. Deputy Environment Minister of Kenya, Maathai is the first black African woman to win a Nobel Prize since their inception in 1901. She has recently been acclaimed for a campaign to plant 30 million trees in Africa to stave off deforestation. Maathai, 64, received $1.3 million with the award. "Many of the wars in Africa are fought over natural resources," she said. "Ensuring they are not destroyed is a way of ensuring there is no conflict." NSHSS Chair Claes Nobel, who has met Maathai many times, is encouraged that the committee has set an important precedent by selecting an environmentalist for the Peace Prize. To learn more about the recipient click here.


	Claes Nobel School of Distinction Award NSHSS is pleased to announce the Claes Nobel School of Distinction for October 2004 has been awarded to Forest Hills High School, in Marshville, North Carolina. The school was nominated by member Amanda Bibb. We congratulate Forest Hills High and Principal Archie Price for improving test scores almost 20% in only two years. Amanda also singled out the school's excellent tutoring program, consistently superior-scoring band, and community service efforts with battered women's shelters and Adopt-a-Highway. And thanks to student efforts, the school is now offering its first drama class. Forest Hills High exemplifies its motto well: "We expect success." Way to go, Yellow Jackets! To nominate your school, send an email to Dr. Susan Thurman explaining why your schools deserves special recognition. Be sure to include your name and contact information, the school's name and contact information, and school website if available.

	New SAT The new version of the SAT will be introduced next spring. Our November update will include some helpful points about the new test.

	Scholar's Think Tank The Voice of Youth The war in Iraq is at the forefront of political discussion and the upcoming election. Last month we surveyed members to discover their thoughts about the possibility of reinstating a military draft. The majority responded that they are not in favor of a draft; 81 percent of respondents said no to the draft and 19 were in favor. Of those who favored a draft, 62 percent disagreed with the idea of drafting women. In March we we surveyed students about their presidential preferences, President Bush ran slightly ahead of Senator Kerry. We would like to return to the question now that the election is just around the corner and the debates are concluded to see how our members would vote.