VOL. 2 NO. 03 DECEMBER 2024 From the students of Arcadia High School Arcadia High’s National Honor Society 2023. PHOTO COURTESY OF AHS By Ahva Ghazanfari The students of Arcadia are always looking for ways to give back to their community. Some – the members of the National Honor Society, to be more specific – actively volunteer on and off campus to help those in need. “NHS allows for its members to be more hands-on and connected to their surrounding communities,” NHS President Siddha Lennox said. “With the effort the club puts into bettering the community, the community feels appreciated and gives back in return, creating a more positive environment and culture.” Some activities students have volunteered in include tutoring students, helping teachers around campus and helping at sporting events. Along with independent volunteer work, Arcadia’s NHS is in charge of organizing events with its feeder schools, like Tavan’s Field Day event that will take place on Arcadia’s campus in December. Students will pair up with Tavan second- graders and compete in numerous field events. The students in NHS have also been writing letters to said second-graders – their “buddies” – in which they talk about their interests and ask questions to keep the young kids engaged. This activity is something members have done in past years and an interactive way for them to brighten their buddy’s day. The tradition continues throughout the year, allowing students to build genuine relationships with the younger generation. Being a part of Arcadia’s NHS isn’t all fun and games, though. It comes with a lot of responsibility. A minimum of six service hours is required for the students to complete each quarter, with four of those hours being acquired on-campus. Sometimes, juggling volunteer work and schoolwork can be a tricky feat. “I encourage my peers to not procrastinate their work, especially when it comes to volunteering for NHS, and to set aside time in their busy schedule to be able to accomplish the things needed by the deadline,” Siddha said. Though the students invited to apply are among the top of their class, it is easy to underestimate just how much effort is needed to be an active member of the organization. Their main goal is to encourage students and members of the community alike to use their time to give back. The organization aims to promote its pillars of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character, and NHS exhibits such values to the highest degree. Arcadia’s Market Day As December arrives, so does the season of giving. The holidays are a time to celebrate traditions – and one of those for Arcadia seniors is partaking in Market Day. This is an event where all the seniors in economics classes create a product at the beginning of the semester, aiming to sell it at Market Day during lunchtime. Students are given a budget of $100 per group member and a due date of December 5 and 6. The rest is left up to them. The semester is spent designing, planning, producing, and advertising their chosen products. Groups get together inside and outside of school to practice their business, teamwork, and communication skills. Market Day production is overseen by Arcadia’s economics teachers, Mr. Guy and Ms. Brodison. Each group must obtain approval for their products, business plans, purchases and advertisements. Items typically found at Market Day include t-shirts, hats, seasonal items like snow globes or Christmas cards, tote bags, and more. Since students spend months preparing, the actual event is quite professional. Each group gets a table to decorate, and underclassmen go around looking at the different products, purchasing whatever they like. The exchange is complete with actual receipts. This project takes place in both the first and second semesters, depending on when students’ schedules allow them to take economics. Market Day ultimately aims to teach students responsibility, communication, leadership and entrepreneurial skills. – Amelia Guzman Driven by purpose: Arcadia’s National Honor Society art one gallery | foundation 480.946.5076 . 4130 n marshall way . scottsdale . artonegalleryinc.com . @artonegalleryinc Representing students and local artists of Arizona since 1993 Starship Campfire by Catherine Ruiz • oil on canvas • 30” x 40” x.50” • $600