Hillside High Student Named NHS Semifinalist

Olivia Henson, a senior at Hillside High School and a member of the National Honor Society, has been selected as an NHS Scholarship semifinalist.

As a semifinalist, Henson receives a $3,200 scholarship that can be used toward undergraduate expenses.

“Olivia is so deserving of the scholarship because she has grown over the years. She has not allowed the hardship of the pandemic to alter her academics and dedication to community service. To be the first student to receive this scholarship from Hillside High School, at least in the last 12 years, she deserves this recognition. Olivia is the personification of ‘on purpose, with purpose’,” said Jahara Davis, her Hillside High School NHS Advisor.

Henson has been a member of Hillside High School Student Council and serves as the Student Body President. She also is a member of Theta Phi Delta Community Service Organization, well as a student-athlete. Outside of Hillside High School, Henson is also a Black SEL Advocate for the Black SEL Non-profit. For two years, she has dedicated her time in helping educators, parents, and students to navigate the importance of social and emotional learning in the classroom and at home. This fall, she hopes to attend NC State University to study Computer Design.

Since 1946, more than $25 million in scholarships have been awarded to outstanding NHS senior members to support college access and student success. The scholarship program is supported by the parent organization of NHS, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The organization selected 575 national semifinalists this year. Checks are mailed to the recipients’ college and made payable to the institution in late July or early August.

In the 100+ years since NHS was founded in 1921, members have been making a difference in their schools and communities, and the NHS Scholarship is NASSP’s way of recognizing the most exceptional of these student leaders. Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated work to support the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Join our free Discord server for subscribers!