Reilly Collins, Freedom, Pennsylvania

Freedom Area High School

Upon joining DECA, Reilly’s certainty of her career choice was solidified. Her childhood dreams of becoming a princess, an astronaut, and an art teacher evolved into a vision consisting of marketing, communications, and a career in public relations. Reilly has attended leadership workshops at International Career Development Conferences for the past two years. She is a state officer for DECA, the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, and the vice president of the National Honor Society.

Nicole Maestri, Knoxville, Tennessee

Hardin Valley Academy

As a junior in high school, Nicole joined both NSHSS and DECA. She soon found that DECA allowed her to pursue three of her interests: “promotions, hospitality, and event planning.” Nicole explains that DECA improved her soft skills, and encouraged her to pursue an internship with the Marketing Director of Knoxville Area Chick-fil-a’s. Nicole’s membership in NSHSS assisted her in staying focused on academics and community service. She will major in marketing and minor in advertising. Nicole is a member of the TALONS Mentoring Program and the tennis team.

Anna Qi, Austin, Texas

McNeil High School

Anna enjoyed raising money for school fundraisers as an elementary school student. She soon transferred her focus from electric gadgets and other prizes to the “process of exchange.” Anna participated in a Young Entrepreneurs Camp in fourth grade and quickly learned both success and failure in business. Anna joined NSHSS as a 9th grader, and she joined DECA as a 10th grader. Her courses in newspaper and advertising helped to prepare her for DECA. An NSHSS Ambassador, Anna represents NSHSS in her school and educates and recruits other students. She also represented DECA as she progressed from district to state to international levels of competition. NSHSS and DECA have allowed Anna to align herself with likeminded students throughout the world. Anna is vice president of service projects in the National Honor Society, an editor for the newspaper, a dance team member, a Spanish Honor Society member, and a piano instructor.

About NSHSS Scholarships

NSHSS works to continuously provide scholarship opportunities to our members to defray the costs associated with college and life-changing educational programs. A variety of scholarships are available for high school students to support college tuition at the accredited college or university of the member’s choosing, study abroad programs and special leadership and skills development programs through NSHSS partners. 

College members also have access to scholarships to further support their collegiate studies, as well as opportunities to attend exclusive conferences such as Clinton Global Initiative University and the annual Nobel Prize week festivities in Stockholm, Sweden.