Advanced or interested Chinese language students now have the chance to learn Chinese culture while taking on community service projects after a group of students have created a chapter of the National Chinese Honor Society (NCHS) on campus.

“The club aims to recognize and assist students who have achievements in learning Chinese, providing service to the community and exemplifying leadership,” said club president senior Emily Choi

To be eligible to join the group, students must study Chinese for two years in high school with a grade of an A or higher each year. Applicants must also be active members, meaning they have attended at least two Chinese Club meetings per semester, of the Chinese Club for at least one year to be considered. 

In addition, applicants must complete or plan one service project and prepare a reflection report to be submitted with the application. Examples of service projects include painting language murals in school or volunteering at local Chinese institutions. The report is a 250-word essay written in Chinese with an English translation that reflects on the student’s experience of giving back to the community. 

Applications for the club will be open until the end of the spring semester. The officers are not looking for a specific number of members because they want to invite as many people as possible. 

“If students have been actively learning Chinese, giving back to the community, and participating in spreading the Chinese culture, they will most likely be accepted,” Choi said. “I think there are a lot of students at SHS that exemplify all those characters.”

NCHS started out as an idea from Mariam Fan, the Chinese teacher and the Chinese Club adviser. Chinese Club leaders say that incorporating NCHS is a great way to raise awareness of Chinese culture and reward students who are actively giving back to the community. 

Members in NCHS will participate in projects and plan events, such as community service and local Chinese festival activities, through virtual calls and meetings. 

For instance, the Chinese Club officers are considering starting projects related to the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) and Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP). Through collaborating with those programs, students will have a chance to participate as docents at art museums; volunteer at cultural events and develop communication, public speaking, organization and leadership skills.

“I really love the idea of NCHS because I get to experience chinese culture while giving back to the community,” said junior Lucia Lin, who plans on joining NCHS. “I hope to do projects that will also allow me to educate myself about Chinese culture.”