The ability to motivate oneself is one tough for most people, and one sought by many,  but for Ebba Tefera, it has come naturally.

Ebba Tefera is a junior at BHSN, and a member of National Honor Society. National Honor Society is a group of students who are required to uphold a level of discipline and honor; they are required to meet a minimum amount of service hours each year and expected to maintain A’s or above a 3.7 GPA to stay in the program.

Tefera was born in Ethiopia and lived there for the first six years of his life until he moved to the United States, where he enrolled at University Elementary. He graduated from elementary school and moved up to Tri North Middle School, adjusting to the new environment all while maintaining above-average grades. When he reached high school, he realized he could do more than just get good grades: he could join the National Honor Society.

Tefera’s favorite part about joining NHS is having a chance to help out others. “Helping others out, it makes me feel good and others feel good”

Volunteering is a major part of the National Honor Society, as members are required to volunteer at both non sponsored and sponsored events for a number of hours each year. Some sponsored events include working concession stands, building with Habitat for Humanity, and other school related events.

For Tefera, his focus is on more than the schooling itself. While maintaining grades is important, Tefera values even more the skills that coincide. More than anything, he cares “for the self control and discipline that comes along with it”.

Being in the NHS is a great way to build life skills, such as discipline and self motivation. Working for good grades in every class can be challenging, not just academically but mentally. Tefera has built his solid academic foundation on discipline and motivation, and his membership of NHS is a mere result of that.

Apart from the discipline and awards he gains, he also gains a benefit that will stick with him for the rest of time : “good memories”.

He will reflect on his experiences within the National honor Society throughout the rest of his life. From the tough discipline-building situations to the fun volunteering, all of his NHS experiences are important and valuable lessons.