NEHS Intellectual Freedom Challenge
Once again, NEHS offers this competition exclusively for junior and sophomore members of active NEHS chapters. The Intellectual Freedom Challenge (IFC) invites NEHS members to submit well-reasoned, argumentative essays about the use of controversial texts that have been or may be challenged due to theme, content, or language. Successful students receive book gift certificates as well as a monetary Crafton Award. Essays will be accepted through October 5, 2020.
Membership
NEHS is open to high school students and select faculty who have demonstrated exceptional ability in such areas as literary analysis, media studies, composition, linguistic study, and creative writing, and who meet the requirements of membership.
NEHS Members Inducted
2019-2020
Active Chapters
Chapters
Each chapter plans and directs a program of activities in order to develop the community of people who are interested in English. Participation in chapter activities is one of the most valuable benefits of NEHS membership; the kinds of appropriate activities are limited only by the members' imaginations.
The Common Reader
Depicting the factual history of the Florida Dozier School for Boys, Whitehead carefully and quietly pays homage to the boys incarcerated at Dozier while searing the minds of his readers, forcing a confrontation with the concepts of slavery, race, and abuse, but also with the uplifting ideas of courage, dignity, and perseverance. With this text, Whitehead solidifies his place as one of the most significant writers of the 21st Century. As The Underground Railroad gave readers a visceral journey through the slave years of the 1800s and beyond, this text will challenge, trouble, and enlighten NEHS readers.
Applicants for the Merit Scholarships are to select this text as the basis of their application submissions, which will be due January 11, 2021.
Scholarships/Awards
Annually, NEHS offers a variety of scholarships valued at up to $5,000 for active NEHS members planning on enrolling full time in two-year and four-year colleges.
$4,000 Scholarship
The University of Texas at Austin, TX
Brianne Flores
Oak Ridge High School, TX
$1,500 Scholarship
Howard University, DC
Joseph John Sturgeon III
Cooper City High School, FL
$5,000 Scholarship
The University of Pennsylvania, PA
Angela Shen
Council Rock High School North, PA
$1,200 Scholarship
Georgetown University, DC
Isadora Karathanos
Belleville West High School, IL