I’m not entirely sure if other schools have NHS programs that do this, but at our school you have to submit a number of club and outside extracurricular hours. If you complete these requirements by the end of your second senior year in NHS, then you get a yellow tassel or chord (depending on how many hours you get- the chord is worth more) to wear at graduation. Anywho, I have completed all the outside volunteering hours and all I have left are my hours needed to spend time at club events and activities. The problem is… my NHS group at school is full of entitled, snobby kids who think they deserve anything they want!! I come from a lower income family- the kind that can sometimes struggle to make ends meet, especially for education (to give you an idea, I will more than qualify for any school with financial aid). Being with these kids makes me physically feel sick as they flaunt their money, power, and easy opportunities instead of hard work and accomplishments. From what I know, earning the tassel or chord doesn’t do anything except allow you to show off at graduation. Thus, it doesn’t even help you get into college!! In fact, I’ll already be in college by the time I turn in my hours. I would save a crap ton of valuable time (and money if you factor in transportation) if I didn’t go to these events, and I would be much happier- I think it is just a matter of swallowing some pride. So, do you guys think its worth it?
No. No one cares about the tassel or chord except you and maybe your parents. It doesn’t matter what your peers think. Don’t do anything that makes you unhappy, especially when it matters so little.
This collection of people who just happen to attend your same HS mean almost zero to you in the grand scheme of things. Really. NHS is a joke for lots of people and in many schools. Colleges don’t care a whit.
How will you already be in college before hours are turned in? Doesn’t that mean you won’t qualify no matter what you do?
How do your parents feel about it? Kids don’t see things in the same way parents do. Do it for them if they want it.
It may not mean much in the grand scheme of things or not at all to you but I can tell you that parents take great pride in their kids at graduation and the cords are a symbol of your particular success. They’ll be in all the graduation pictures and set you apart. If not to others then at least to them. It may be small but significant.
One more thing…sounds like you have already written off a slew of kids as rich, snooty and entitled without ever really participating in the club activities and getting to know them. Otherwise you would already have the hours in.
Give them a chance. Maybe you are right and they are all snooty brats. Or maybe you have painted them with the same big paint brush of your expectations. Everyone has a background both high and low. You’ll meet tons of people in life from the top of society down to the lowest. Keep an open mind. Learn about others where you can without judgement.
And good luck!
@gouf78 Thank you so much for your response! Also- thanks so much for reminding me to think of this from a parental perspective. While my parents think I should not get the tassel and chord (they want me to relax more), I think you bring up a very vital point: that for many parents, the tassel and chord are a symbol of success. So while I don’t think my parents mind, you make a really awesome point!
As for the kids, you make a good point too. I will try and continue to keep an open mind, but these kids have also bullied me about grades, home life, and race before. But who knows- they might just be angry at another person and taking it out on other club members. I will certainly keep this in mind- thank you!
Just remember that the relaxing part comes after you cross a finish line.
Balance is very important and may trump all.
And a rope is “cord” not “chord”. I can’t help myself. LOL…
I really appreciate the feedback! Good luck with all your endeavors too!