Rolling Hills Preparatory NHS Chapter Wins National Award: Named a 2026 Chapter of Distinction
We are proud to announce that the Rolling Hills Preparatory School chapter of the National Honor Society has been named a 2026 NHS Chapter of Distinction, a national recognition honoring NHS chapters that demonstrate strong student leadership, sound chapter operations, and a deep commitment to the pillars of the National Honor Society: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.
The Chapters of Distinction program recognizes NHS chapters that meet all the organization’s Essential Standards while demonstrating distinction in key areas such as student governance, leadership development, service impact, and the long-term sustainability of the chapter.
Our journey toward this recognition began in May 2026, when the NHS Executive Committee and Chapter Adviser undertook a comprehensive review of our chapter’s practices. Student officers worked alongside the Adviser to examine the NHS Essential Standards and Areas of Distinction, gather supporting documentation—including chapter bylaws, membership selection procedures, and other records—and collaboratively review the chapter’s operations. The completed audit and supporting materials were then presented to Head of School Dr. Olivier before submission to the National Honor Society.
An especially important part of the process required our student leaders to reflect on the chapter’s work and impact during the 2025–2026 school year. Officers documented the measurable impact of our service projects, reflected on their own growth in leading meetings and managing chapter business, and identified improvements they wanted to pass on to the next Executive Committee.
The application also emphasized Chapter Legacy. Last year’s officers were asked not simply to document what they had accomplished, but to consider how they could leave the chapter stronger for the students who would lead it next. This culminated in a leadership training and formal transition process through which outgoing officers transferred their knowledge, responsibilities, and recommendations to the newly elected Executive Committee for the 2026–2027 school year.
Receiving the 2026 Chapter of Distinction recognition reflects the collective work of our NHS members and student leaders to build a chapter that does more than complete service hours. It recognizes their commitment to creating meaningful service, developing student leadership, maintaining strong and transparent chapter practices, and establishing systems that allow each generation of NHS leaders to build upon the work of those who came before them.
Special congratulations go to our current senior NHS President, Cole Nakata, who served as Historian on the 2025–2026 NHS Executive Committee and participated in the application and review process that led to this recognition. Now serving as President, Cole represents that chapter legacy in action as he helps guide this year’s Executive Committee and the next generation of NHS student leaders.
We are incredibly proud of our NHS students and Executive Committee for earning this national recognition and for continuing to represent the values of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character throughout our school community.
