NSHSS celebrated a special day on Saturday, March 7, when nearly 1,000 members and their families attended a scholar event at the University of Texas at Austin. The program, hosted by UT Austin and held in the Gregory Gym, featured a question and answer discussion with Augustine Garza, UT Deputy Director of Admissions, as well as a panel discussion with UT student leaders. Members were greeted by Dr. Gregory Vincent, UT Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement, and Texas Governor Rick Perry offered congratulations to NSHSS scholars in a special letter prepared for the occasion, commending the Society for “helping to create a better-educated, more productive populace."
Mr. Garcia (pictured left) took questions from the floor, offering practical advice for students and parents, including some tips like these:
- Keep up with deadlines – admission offices will not look at late applications.
- Don’t send in additional material for your application after the deadline – it won’t be reviewed.
- Do showcase yourself in the application essay – it is your chance to explain your circumstances and any particular information you want to share with the admissions committee that is not on your application (examples: you have a parent deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan; you have overcome particular challenges, etc.)
NSHSS Student Council Member Britney Cooks, UT junior, spoke to the group about her college experience and led members in the NSHSS pledge. Britney is majoring in Deaf Education and is a Resident Assistant on campus, as well as a member of the Student Volunteer Board. She is also a UT Rapoport Service Scholar. She participated in the student panel, advising future college students about time management, staying healthy, joining campus clubs, living in dorms, and preparing for classes.
In his keynote remarks, Mr. Nobel encouraged our young scholars to take their place on the world stage, offering advice, encouragement, and hope for these difficult times.
Several Claes Nobel Educators of Distinction from Texas were recognized by Mr. Nobel, and they provided inspiring words. English teacher honoree Pat Jones, of Clear Brook High School in Friendswood, Texas, said:
“Being recognized by your organization is the highlight of my career, primarily because of the honor of having accepted it from Mr. Claes Nobel himself, as well as having been nominated by a tremendous student, Zach Pettigrew, who has distinguished himself in a number of ways and in a number of disciplines this year.”
Semester at Sea representative Kelly Wilkinson talked about how his own experience inspired him to become an advocate for the program, announcing SAS scholarships for NSHSS members in college. NSHSS partner Abercrombie & Fitch, represented by recruiter Geordanna Cordero (pictured below right with Yun Mi Yi,) assisted with the member prize raffle and spoke of how impressed she is with our students and how pleased that A&F is to offer scholarships to NSHSS. 
NSHSS thanks the University of Texas at Austin for hosting this terrific event, and we look forward to returning to the campus in 2010.
View photos from the event in our Scholar's Gallery.