It will be held in the teachers’ cafeteria during all hours on Friday. The price will be one dollar for each item. Items include cappuccinos, hot chocolate, and cookies.

“Your donations would be much appreciated by the CCC and the Benlon Family,” said CCC president Tyler Amble.

If anyone would like to donate money, cappuccino mix, or cookies, please contact Mr. Poplau in room 208 before or after school.

“I see [NHS] as an opportunity to become involved at Northwest and also in my community,” junior Jenny Skells said.

Pledges completed papework and recommendation forms in September as a part of the application process. They had to prove leadership and community service through these forms but didn’t know if they were accepted until months later. Once chosen as members, students must follow the guidelines of NHS.

“Students must demonstrate all four of the pillars well,” NHS sponsor Janine Deines said. “I think all students should do service.”

The four pillars are scholarship, service, leadership and character. To do this, students must keep up with high academic standards and involvement in school, while continuing to perform community service. By following the guidelines, NHS members may benefit when applying for college and scholarships.

“It’s the only nationally recognized service organization,” Deines said. “It looks great on [a student’s] transcript.”

The induction ceremony honors all the students for their effort and officially admits them to NHS. Officers welcomed the juniors and seniors at the brief induction ceremony, where four candles were displayed representing each of the pillars. New and returning members were presented with their badges and pins.

“The ceremony didn’t drag on, but it was still cool,” Skells said. “Both my parents and I were really proud that I was accepted.
-Rachel Alvey

“It’s my moral duty to do this. I am helping the community be better. Through our actions we can be the good our society wants us to be,” said senior Chris Nel. Students are taking donations for the Nov. 23 event. The dinners given out will include everything from yams to a turkey. The goal is to provide 50 dinners for the area’s needy.

“One family called me and wanted enough food just for one day, and then they would go back to the way things were, with no food,” Poplau said.

Donations are made by the students and families. Steve and Deb Beyer, a couple that donates every year, donated 30 turkeys, 12 of which will be saved for the Christmas dinner at Quick’s BBQ on December 7.

It will be held in the teachers’ cafeteria during all hours on Friday.  The price will be one dollar for each item.  Items include cappuccinos, hot chocolate, lemonade, and cookies.

“Your donations would be much appreciated by the CCC and Ms. Thigpen,” said CCC president Tyler Amble.

If anyone would like to donate money, cappuccino mix, or cookies, please contact Mr. Poplau in room 208 before or after school.

Meetings take place every other Friday. After first semester, Key Club will only meet in the mornings, at 7:10.

When members reach 50 hours of community service, they receive a pin and certificate. In order to obtain 50 hours, members participate in many different activities, including charity runs/walks, helping at church, or helping at elementary schools.

Members can also collect pop tabs or labels. Every 50 pop tabs counts as one hour. Members need 10 Best Choice labels, Campbell’s labels, and/or Box Tops for Education for one hour.

Students join Key Club for the chance to serve the community, and to fill requirements for other classes. Sophomore Marcus Paccapaniccia joined because he is interested in enrolling for the International Baccalaureate program.

“For IB you have to get service hours,” Paccapaniccia said, “and [it's] good practice to get used to getting community service hours ahead of time.”

Sponsor Carolyn LaFever finds Key Club useful in many different aspects.

“It’s a good opportunity for community service,” LaFever said. “It looks good on college applications, and it’s fun.”

Interact club is getting well underway as the school year begins. They have met three times and have some projects lined up. They plan on helping out with various organizations such as Turnstyles and letting the members to the STARS program for the YMCA.

The club is also planning for a Christmas in October fundraiser. They also hope to begin planning for a soup kitchen soon.

Interact meets every other Thursday at 7:15 am in room 208. Everyone is welcome!

Cougars Community Commitment, also known as CCC, has become a very popular class at Northwest. Ron Poplau, the man who began this class back in 1992, has been a teacher at Northwest since the school opened. He was inspired to start the class just out of the kindness of his heart. A former sociology teacher, Poplau began engaging his classes in community service projects. Soon the requests became overwhelming. That was when Poplau decided to make community service an actual class.

It’s hard to believe that CCC’s first class started out with just 17 students. The class is now packed with nearly 200 students per semester. Many people have their opinions that students take the class just to skip out on school. Poplau believes otherwise.

“What alot of people don’t realize is that there is more to be learned outside of the classroom than inside.” said Poplau.

Every year Poplau chooses students to represent CCC on an Executive Board. This year the board consists of president Tyler Amble, vice president Zoe Phelps, Nick Feighner, Carly Iverson, Jenni Pinkleman, Balie Phelan, and Kent Hollingsworth. These students plan the fundraisers and events CCC will participate in for that school year.

The board has held three meetings this year and have decided on a few fundraisers so far.

September 14-18 we will be having a dollar day.

October 1 CCC will have an Italian Dinner to support Ms. Helgoth.

“CCC is a class that wont only benefit others, it makes you a better person.” said senior Carly Iverson.

The CCC Board is open to any suggestions or ideas for fundraisers. If you have any concerns or questions please call Nick Feighner at (913)-231-6050.