Junior and senior students have the opportunity to join the National Honor Society (NHS) if they consistently keep a GPA of 97 or above, 10 hours of community service per semester, two hours which have to be with NHS, and have held leadership positions to remain in NHS.

“I was kind of nervous about getting in because my grades were good, but it’s based on your grades, community service, leadership, awards and my leadership because I was young I didn’t really have but a couple,” NHS president senior Alana Miller said.

According to NHS sponsor Michelle Hurst, lack of service hours and leadership positions held keeps most eligible students out of NHS.

“There are lots of ways to show leadership,” Hurst said, “Heading a study group, with a church, on a Pink Fest team or committee, helping siblings or tutoring other students [could count as service hours].”

Legacy has many clubs and organizations including to get involved as well as churches and the city website has opportunities as well. Miller did the majority of her volunteering at the Mansfield Public Library and with her church youth group.

“[Students] really need to build up community service because that is what keeps a lot of people from getting in, even if it’s a small leadership position, go for it,” Miller said.

NHS meets once or twice after school each month on Thurs. and volunteers together with a can food drive, blood drive and help out with elementary festivals or big events held outside the school day.

“This year were hoping to do a service project that anyone in the student body can participate in,” Hurst said.

Students do not need a particular amount of service hours or leadership for acceptance into NHS according to Hurst, though the more hours and variety of service helps a student’s eligibility.

“People think it’s about good grades, but service and leadership are just as important,” Hurst said.