FAIRMONT — National Honor Society is an organization that has been around for nearly a century, with an estimated 1 million students across the county participating.

But this school year is the first that Fairmont High School has implemented a National Honor Society.

The organization is centered on four pillars: scholarship, service, leadership and character.

Principal Kim Niss said that last school year, a group of seniors who were on the student advisory council came to her asking if the school could get a National Honor Society.

Niss said that while the students knew they would not be able to join themselves since it would take some time, they saw it as something that would be beneficial to other students.

The two advisers for NHS are Mark Hernes, who teaches math, and Molly Bleess, a music teacher.

“She and I both agreed that we would do it, but our focus would be on the service and leadership part of it,” Hernes said. “Of course, the academics are important and we want to maintain that, but we want to focus on the service and leadership so that students can look back and say they were a part of something meaningful.”

Being a member of the NHS shows that students are among the best in their class, not just in terms of academics but also in terms of leadership, service and character.

Hernes reported that about 60 students have come to informational meetings about NHS since the beginning of the school year and taken an application, but how many will apply and be selected is yet to be determined. Applications are due at the end of next week, and the first induction will take place in November.

To apply, students need to write an essay that tells what they have done in or out of school that has shown exemplary character and service. They also must create a personal resume that details their activities and accomplishments outside of the classroom.

An anonymous committee of teachers will be put together in order to go through the applications. This is to ensure that students selected are of good moral character and meet high academic standards.

While the minimum GPA varies across the country, Fairmont’s advisers chose to set the minimum GPA the same as the state’s — 3.2.

NHS is exclusively for juniors and seniors. Students will be required to put forth a minimum of 12 hours of volunteer service work per semester.

“NHS will try to set up some volunteer opportunities for all students,” said Hernes, explaining that NHS can sponsor some community service opportunities but open it up to all students in the school.

Hernes said some schools in the state are members of Minnesota Association of Honor Societies and some are just a member of NHS. Fairmont is affiliated with both.

An induction will take place within the next few weeks in order to get the ball rolling, but another induction will take place in the spring so students can start right away their junior year.

Hernes said he wanted to be an adviser in order to connect with students by doing things outside of the classroom. He encourages community members who have needs or ideas for different community service projects to contact him at the school at Mhernes@fairmont.k12.mn.us

“If we do get 60 students, 60 times 12 is a lot of hours for projects each semester,” Hernes pointed out.