National Honor Society is more than an honor roll; it serves to commend those students who demonstrate excellence in areas of scholarship, leadership, and service.

“National Honor Society motivates us all to reach out in the community and make Flower Mound a better place,” senior NHS member Bailey Mcmahan said.

NHS guidelines require members to commit to five hours of individual service every nine weeks, and eight hours of service projects a year. Students participate in a wide range of activities in the Flower Mound area to acquire these hours.

“I have participated in breakfast buddies for two years,” senior Madison Seiple said. “The experience is really eye-opening and rewarding.”

Seiple looks forward to every Friday when she spends an hour of her morning at Central Elementary School. There, she eats breakfast, talks, and mentors young kids.

“I feel like I have connected with the kids. I offer them something to look forward to, and start off their day a little better,” Seiple said. “They risk dropping because they are underprivileged. It is nice to know that I can make a difference.”

Seiple has accumulated over 60 hours of service with Breakfast Buddies. She also volunteers at the Flower Mound Public Library and Autumn Leaves Assisted Living.

“I am involved in different volunteer organizations because I want to reach out to all the members of the community,” Seiple said. “I find developing relations important in order to create a better understanding of your surroundings.”

Students put forth a major effort in pursuance of staying involved in the community. According to the annual National Honor Society Survey, members across the country have donated a total of 590,912 hours benefiting people in need. Seniors Bailey Mcmahan and Katie Decker want to extend that help to animals in need.

“I volunteer at the Flower Mound Humane Society pet adoptions twice a month,” Mcmahan said. “I want these animals welcomed into a new home that can provide the proper care they need.”

She donates her time to showcase the animals and keep them safe while potential adopters observe. Decker also contributes her time to helping animals that in turn provide a service to those in need.

“I earn my volunteer hours at a place called Riding Unlimited,” Decker said. “I love helping the horses, feeding them, and cleaning the stables.”

Riding Unlimited is a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding for kids and adults with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Decker is one of two hundred volunteers that make the organization possible for those in need. Although the volunteer numbers seem high, there is always a place for more.

Sophomore Caleb Cantwell was inducted into NHS on April 4. During the ceremony, Cantwell pledged to participate in community service projects necessary for maintaining his membership.

“I am excited to join NHS because I have multiple opportunities to help others with my friends,” Cantwell said. “I plan to participate in World Changers with my church. It is a week of working on someone’s house-roofing, decking, yard work, and painting.”

Not only does Cantwell’s project help refurbish houses, the volunteers also donate food, housing items, and money. According to the NHS Service Report, members have raised more than 1.6 million dollars in the last year to donate to charity projects.

“I am grateful to be involved in such an outstanding program,” Cantwell said.

It is estimated that the FMHS National Honor Society donated $25,000 to the school and community through service projects this year. The students’ hard work has changed the face of the community, and made Flower Mound proud.