Do environmental service and then apply for a Presidential Service award
https://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/the-award
Do you think volunteering at my local park will count for volunteer hours? Btw I’m 16.
Also, my friend and I are going to start a Chemistry Club next year, where we are going to do labs and try to get a teacher advisor to help us do well in the Chemistry Olympiad (My school doesn’t allow students to take the exam and we want to do it). Plus, I might want to start a Biology Club, and wanting to do the Bio Olympiad.
If we can’t do the olympiads, we will still start the clubs and do additional labs they can’t do in a regular science class.
Volunteering in a local park is an excellent idea. I would put my efforts into this…
What do u think about starting clubs and trying to get the Presidential Service Award @twogirls ?
Bopper gave you good advice… as always.
I would not spread myself too thin…
Yes, volunteering for anything counts as volunteer hours.
@bopper What do you think about me starting the clubs I mentioned? I think they not only show leadership, but show my passion.
I would pick one of those clubs to start…you will have to get a faculty adviser. No one will let you do labs at school without supervision.
Don’t do things because of awards, but definitely be on the lookout for ones to apply to. You can do wonderful things but the awards won’t happen unless you apply!
IMO as a high school student, when people say they are part of NSHSS I cringe a little. I think it’s like a 3.5 GPA requirement? It’s not a scam in that they will take your credit card info or anything, but it’s a scam in that it isn’t really the honor it makes itself out to be (once again IMHO).
You are a sophomore and the year is ending soon. If you want to start a club junior year because you have a genuine interest…that’s fine…but do not start one because you think it will be impressive. My opinion is that you should study for your SATs/ACTs, keep your grades up, and volunteer in your community. The park that you mentioned is a great idea. I would organize cleanups, plantings etc…whatever is permitted and enjoyable.
Any valuable awards come from putting in time and effort.
Because it’s not.
Now starting a club where there is a genuine void can be a good thing. But it’s a lot of work.You will need to find a faculty adviser who is willing to take on the work. You’ll need to craft a mission statement. You’ll need to recruit members. It’s not like the old days when Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland would say “Let’s put on a show.” (Have your parents/grandparents explain the reference if you don’t watch Turner Classic Movies 
)
@bopper @skieurope @twogirls @ivyorbust27 My friend and I want to start one of those clubs and try to start a nonprofit bc we like science and want to make a difference.
How will your club make a difference? What will your club do? A nonprofit…really? That’s a lofty goal.
I think you will make a difference volunteering in the local park, but you don’t seem to agree. You could really do a lot … cleanups, planting, decorating garbage cans etc. To me… this is the better option.
Be very very careful that you make choices for the right reasons. Starting an non-profit for the purpose of assisting people long after you’ve left HS is great. The challenge is that many students want to do so to pad their resumes thinking that college admissions simply requires completing a checklist. Start a non-profit. Check. Publish a book. Check. Get 100K views on my YouTube channel. Check. Unfortunately, admissions does not work that way, and AOs will see right through the obvious ploys. Particularly non-profits started with parents’ seed money.
@twogirls I know, it is just an idea
@skieurope My friend was mainly thinking about the nonprofit and, tbh, it can be a lofty goal, especially for two sophomores with little money.