National English Honor Society Students Spread Christmas Cheer

The National English Honor Society is an invitation-only organization at Collier for students who excel academically, especially in Language Arts.  It is an organization “where high school students and teachers can immerse themselves in the invaluable experiences of promoting literacy and serving society, while honoring exceptional and diverse achievements in the English language arts and related subjects” (www.nehs.us).  Members of the NEHS participate in English-related activities as well as community service projects.  

On December 16, 2024, the NEHS students and advisors visited De La Salle Hall, a residential retirement home for brothers of Christian Schools, such as Christian Brothers Academy.  The facility is located on the campus of CBA in Lincroft, New Jersey, and is named after the founder of Christian Brothers, St. John Baptist de La Salle.  The National English Honor Society students spent the afternoon conversing and reading holiday stories to the residents, bringing them some holiday cheer.  The students shared their experiences about being students at Collier High School as well as being a part of the National English Honor Society, while the residents talked to them about their former lives as educators, the literature that they enjoyed teaching, and the experiences that made them who they are today.  Jamie, a student in grade 12, said, “Hanging out with the residents gave me an insight of what life was like decades ago.”  Jayden, also a 12th-grade student, also commented, “I really enjoyed the trip to the nursing home. It was fun listening to the stories from others, and they even provided some advice about college and some careers I am interested in. The people there were really nice, and I hope I could visit them in the future.”  The holiday spirit and cheer in the room was contagious. According to advisor Kristin DiStefano, “the students were fully engaged in the stories that the residents shared, and the residents loved the interactions with the students who seemed to brighten their day.”