Cove junior high honor society members volunteer to make a difference

By ARIEL DRAPER
Cove Leader-Press

Nearly 500 middle school students in the United States took their own lives in 2014. According to World Net Daily Education, suicide rates among middle school students is increasing at an alarming rate, and Copperas Cove Junior High National Honor Society students are stepping out to save the lives of their fellow classmates while giving back to their community.
NJHS students jump started the school year by volunteering at two events, assisting the Pink Warrior Angels and the Copperas Cove Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention Candlelight Walk. 
The NJHS members first volunteered outside of Walmart collecting donations and running the games at the registration drive for the Pink Warrior Angels 5k Dash to be held on Saturday, September 30. 
Seven members including NJHS secretary Allyssa Kimball expressed a sense of pride in volunteering and helping others through the club’s service.
“Helping the Pink Warrior Angels is a great experience,” Kimball said. “It feels good to donate to a good cause.”
CCJHS NJHS sponsor, teacher Veronica Sheon, was pleased with the dedication of the students.
“I’m excited to get the year kicked off in such a big way,” Sheon said.  “We had a big turnout for the Pink Warrior Dash pre-party and registration.”
The Copperas Cove Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention Candlelight Walk began later that evening with the NJHS members boosting public awareness to stop this deadly epidemic. In 2015, the CDC reported that among 10-14 year olds suicide was the third leading cause of death. NJHS members volunteered to participate in the prevention and awareness walk to take action against and fight suicide.  
In the year ahead, the CCJHS NJHS will participate in several community service projects including the Howl-O-Ween Puppy Pawlooza, Relay for Life, Food for Families and many more worthwhile causes. 
The National Junior Honor Society has chapters in middle schools with National Honor Society chapters found in high schools. Both organizations were founded by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and today have chapters in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Common membership requirements include maintaining a high grade point average, usually a 3.5 GPA or higher, and participation in community service projects as members must meet required monthly service hours.