Every year, NEHS Literacy Initiative Grants help bring creative, community-centered literary and literacy projects to life—programs that make a lasting difference for both students and the people they serve. These grants don’t just provide funding; they spark opportunities for young people to grow as leaders, foster a love of reading, and strengthen connections across communities. From libraries in Pennsylvania to historic halls in London, grant-winning nonprofit organizations are using their awards to create meaningful change. The stories below show just how impactful NEHS Literacy Initiative Grants can be: consider applying for a Literacy Initiative Grant or sharing details of the grants with literacy-focused nonprofits in your area.
Literacy Initiative Grant applications are accepted during the Fall Awards Cycle.
Books, Buddies, & Fun: Improving Literacy in Upper Darby, PA
In January 2025, we were awarded a $1,500 grant from NEHS for our Books, Buddies, & Fun! (BBF) program, which serves children in Kindergarten through third grade every Monday at the Upper Darby Township Library—Municipal Branch. NEHS student members prepare the space, select books, and lead literacy games. From 4:00 – 4:30 p.m., they read with the children, and from 4:30 – 5:00 p.m., they play literacy-based games together.
The program has grown into a joyful experience for both children and teens. Kids look forward to returning each week, forming close bonds with each other. One young participant, after a favorite NEHS member left early, immediately exclaimed, “I miss her already!” With grant funding, we added new games like Zingo! and books the children can take home. One child’s excitement—”I want to live here!”—captured the spirit of BBF perfectly.
Parents are thrilled to see their children’s reading skills improve while developing a love for the library. NEHS student members benefit too: they gain confidence, discover the rewards of working with younger children, and even use their BBF experiences in college applications. Many say they look forward to the program each week, and some seniors have asked to continue volunteering after graduation.
The grant also allowed us to create a welcoming reading environment with new bean bag chairs and provide gift cards and books as incentives for NEHS student members. Even when children aren’t present, NEHS members use the time to connect with one another about school, college plans, and life.
We are deeply grateful to NEHS for this support. Thanks to the grant, BBF continues to be a fun, enriching program that inspires a love of reading and strengthens our library community.
Words That Matter: Empowering Young Voices in the UK
The Worshipful Company of Educators is deeply grateful to NEHS for its generous support of the 2025 annual schools’ Public Speaking Competition for Year 10 and 11 (US grade 9 and 10) pupils. The event took place on Wednesday, March 26 in the Members’ Dining Room of the Guildhall, at the heart of the City of London.
Competing schools included the City of London School, City of London School for Girls, Merchant Taylors’ School, James Allen’s Girls’ School, Chelsea Academy, South Hampstead High School, and—participating for the first time—The Gatwick School.
The winner was Elysia Hargreaves (South Hampstead High School) for her impassioned, persuasive, and entirely memorized speech, “Why We Should Educate Young People More About Politics.” Runners-up were Nikita Tan (City of London School), with “Nuance Upon A Time,” on the dangers of polarized social media, and Monty Halkerston (Merchant Taylors’ School), who argued powerfully for rethinking society’s attitudes toward alcohol.
Highly Commended awards went to Saijal Beniparshad (The Gatwick School) for her moving speech on indentured labour in South Africa, and Oscar Kuroptwa (City of London School) for his urgent call for worldwide abolition of the death penalty.
The evening featured a wide range of witty and engaging topics, from the defense of American summer camps to reflections on British food and the moral lessons of The Traitors. The overall standard of speeches and responses to probing questions was remarkably high, particularly given the age of the participants.
Winners received Royal Scot Crystal cut-glass trophies and book vouchers (£100 for the winner, £50 for runners-up, and £25 for Highly Commended), funded by NEHS. Afterward, competitors and audience enjoyed a convivial buffet, marked by camaraderie and supportive spirit.
With several schools holding internal competitions to select their speakers, the reach of the event extends well beyond the evening itself, making it once again a stimulating and memorable celebration of young voices.
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.
