With a new school year underway, the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is preparing for a successful year filled with community service, art projects, and creativity.
NAHS is a group dedicated to recognizing students who are passionate about art and integrating it into the Masco and Tri-Town communities. Members are encouraged to use art as a way of connecting with others and making a difference outside of their art classrooms.
The officers and members are committed to improving their artistic skills and showing how art can inspire people and bring them together. This year, the group is particularly focused on increasing its involvement with the Tri-Town community by organizing events that consist of both creativity and community service. Whether volunteering at elementary schools, hosting art exhibitions, or designing smaller-scale pieces, NAHS is determined to show how art can make a difference.
“I am hoping the community gets to see and experience in a variety of ways how amazing our art students are. Whether it’s showing their work at Zumi’s in Topsfield or face painting at the Holiday Walk our group loves to be creative and bring art into the spotlight. Something as simple as creating handmade cards for senior citizens at the Masconomet healthcare facility, we can be creative and brighten someone’s day,” said advisor Erin Evans.
This determination to explore new opportunities helps NAHS create deeper connections within the community. Members not only share their artistic talents but also form lasting bonds and memories with those they serve. Each project turns into a wholesome interaction where people can come together through shared experiences and creativity, ultimately connecting students and building a sense of belonging.
“I hope that people who are not necessarily artists can see art as something that can benefit the community, instead of just being a side hobby— so they can see that art is something that has life and substance to it, instead of just being something that people do for fun,” said senior officer Isabella Maddaleni.
This commitment to community service is at the heart of NAHS’s mission; in the 2023-2024 school year, the group organized about ten service activities and successfully executed all of them. From auctioning student-made Greece landscapes at the Mamma Mia performance last Spring to bonding at the induction ceremony, students have been able to embrace the opportunities to work together and express themselves to their community, while having fun in the process.
“I love that our Masconomet chapter of the NAHS gives the students who thrive in the art department another opportunity to showcase their skills in the community, outside of the classroom. I also love that it strengthens my relationships with these students who I get to work with in a variety of ways, to do creative things and of course, have some fun and laughs along the way,” said Evans.
Maddaleni agreed that the NAHS is about more than a requirement.
“I hope that people forget they are there for community service hours,” said Maddaleni.
Students are encouraged to approach community service with enthusiasm and creativity so that each event showcases their genuine passion. This spirit is part of what makes NAHS so unique; there is so much positivity that it makes each project not only enjoyable but also incredibly meaningful.
“NAHS offers a community for kids to share their common interest of art and allows you to apply that love to community service opportunities,” said senior president Megan Brady. “It gives you the ability to show how art can make an impact on your community.”
Members of NAHS are gaining experience in leadership and expression while leaving their mark in the school and community.
“We’re trying to do bigger things in NAHS like working more with Masco theater and creating larger scale projects,” said Brady.
The group has big plans for the year, including a current collaboration with the theater department, which will involve helping create the set and lobby display for the fall musical. In addition, they will be hosting art lessons at the elementary schools, making and selling stickers, and hopefully planning on a field trip to Boston.
By leading with such passion, NAHS members are aiming to create a lasting legacy of creativity, community, and excitement. Through their commitment and service, they hope to inspire students to continue getting involved with art and use it as a way to connect with others and leave a positive impact on the Tri-Town and Masco communities.