The NEHS Annual Convention is a unique event that brings together NEHS student members and Chapter Advisors passionate about literature, writing, and the English language. Scheduled for March 29 – April 1, 2026, in New Orleans, LA, the convention offers an immersive experience filled with engaging workshops, insightful panel discussions, and inspiring keynote speakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to delve into various aspects of English studies, from creative writing to literary analysis, all while exploring the rich cultural tapestry of New Orleans.
Benefits of Attending the NEHS Annual Convention
- Engaging Workshops and Panels: Participate in hands-on workshops tailored to diverse interests and skill levels, covering topics such as art, film, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and literary analysis. These sessions provide valuable tools, fresh perspectives, and renewed confidence in your craft.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow NEHS members, educators, and literary professionals from across the country and around the world. Build relationships that can enhance your academic and professional journey.
- Cultural Exploration: Experience the vibrant culture of New Orleans, known for its music, cuisine, and history. The city offers a unique backdrop for the convention, enriching your overall experience.
Speakers
2026 Convention keynote speakers for NEHS students include:
MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient and two-time National Book Award-winner Jesmyn Ward has been hailed as the standout writer of her generation, proving her “fearless and toughly lyrical” voice in novels, memoir, and nonfiction. Betsy Burton of the American Booksellers Association has called her “the new Toni Morrison.” In 2017, she became the first woman and the first person of color to win two National Book Awards for Fiction—joining the ranks of William Faulkner, Saul Bellow, John Cheever, Philip Roth, and John Updike. In 2024, Men We Reaped, Salvage the Bones, and Sing, Unburied, Sing were named in the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century by The New York Times.
Aimee Nezhukumatathil is the author of Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees and The New York Times best-selling nature essay collection World of Wonders. She has written five poetry books, including Lucky Fish and Oceanic. Her honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, NEA poetry fellowship, Pushcart Prize, a Mississippi Arts Council grant, and NAAEE’s 2024 Innovation in Environmental Education Award. She is poetry editor for Sierra magazine and teaches English and Creative Writing at the University of Mississippi.
LitFest Speakers and Workshop Leaders include:
- Fatima Shaik on Jazz and nonfiction writing
- Holly MacKenna on resilience and children’s literature
- Janine Utell on the work of the MLA and career opportunities for humanities students
- Kim Vaz-Deville on New Orleans culture
- L. D. Lewis on speculative fiction
- Madi Hannan on illustration
- Marguerite Sheffer on short story writing
- Maurice Carlos Ruffin on historical novels
- Richard Louth on the literary culture of New Orleans
- Soline Holmes on the importance of school libraries
Convention Presentation Award: A Platform to Showcase Your Work
The NEHS Convention Presentation Award is a prestigious opportunity for NEHS members to present their scholarly work at the Sigma Tau Delta 2026 Convention. This award is open to high school student pairs who submit two unique, innovative, and insightful abstracts analyzing Jesmyn Ward’s Salvage the Bones and Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Each selected pair, along with their Chapter Advisor, will receive a fully funded trip to the convention, including round-trip transportation, three nights’ accommodation at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hotel, and a food and drink allowance for the duration of the event.
Participating in the Convention Presentation Award not only provides a platform to showcase academic achievements but also enhances college applications and resumes by demonstrating initiative, passion for learning, and the ability to tackle complex topics.
How to Attend
General registration for the convention is open from November 18, 2025 – January 31, 2026.
Attending the NEHS Annual Convention offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the literary community, enhance your academic skills, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of New Orleans. Whether you’re presenting your work through the Convention Presentation Award or participating in workshops and panels, the convention promises an enriching experience that celebrates the power of the English language arts.
Don’t miss out on this chance to connect, create, and celebrate: mark your calendars for March 29 – April 1, 2026, and start preparing for an unforgettable experience at the NEHS Annual Convention in New Orleans!
National English Honor Society
The National English Honor Society (NEHS), founded and sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, is the only international organization exclusively for secondary students and faculty who, in the field of English, merit special note for past and current accomplishments. Individual secondary schools are invited to petition for a local chapter, through which individuals may be inducted into Society membership. Immediate benefits of affiliation include academic recognition, scholarship and award eligibility, and opportunities for networking with others who share enthusiasm for, and accomplishment in, the language arts.
America’s first honor society was founded in 1776, but high school students didn’t have access to such organizations for another 150 years. Since then, high school honor societies have been developed in leadership, drama, journalism, French, Spanish, mathematics, the sciences, and in various other fields, but not in English. In 2005, National English Honor Society launched and has been growing steadily since, becoming one of the largest academic societies for secondary schools.
As Joyce Carol Oates writes, “This is the time for which we have been waiting.” Or perhaps it was Shakespeare: “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer . . .” we celebrate English studies through NEHS.
National English Honor Society accepts submissions to our blog, NEHS Museletter, from all membership categories (students, Advisors, and alumni). If you are interested in submitting a blog, please read the Suggested Guidelines on our website. Email any questions and all submissions to: submit@nehsmuseletter.us.
