Each year the National English Honor Society recognizes exceptional dedication and leadership through its prestigious John L. Manear Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award. This year’s recipients, Tammy DiPrima from Oswego East High School, IL, and Gabriel Alkon from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, FL, stand out for the transformative impact they have made on students, their schools, and their wider communities.
Congratulations to them both!
Tammy DiPrima: A Legacy of Creativity and Compassion
Tammy DiPrima’s decade-long tenure as Chapter Advisor has left a lasting imprint on her students and the NEHS community at Oswego East High School. Described as “passionate, kind, experienced, helpful, and joyful,” DiPrima brings a unique warmth and personal touch to every project she leads.
One of her most cherished contributions is the chapter’s annual elementary school partnership project, where high school NEHS members design and deliver English lessons to younger students in the district. Coordinating this initiative takes intense behind-the-scenes work—balancing schedules with district schools and preparing students for teaching roles—but the payoff is profound. “This experience is truly worth all the effort. . . . It allows me and my fellow students to connect with our district and pass on our passion for literature,” one student wrote.
What sets DiPrima apart is her empowering approach to leadership. She encourages student-led creativity, allowing members to mold projects to reflect their individual interests. “She has helped to facilitate creativity and a passion for English in all members,” a student shared, highlighting her success in keeping NEHS engaging and adaptable.
Even in the face of challenges, such as fluctuating membership numbers, DiPrima has proven herself resilient and resourceful. “Year after year, Mrs. DiPrima has been able to encourage students to achieve more . . . and leave an impact on their community,” a testament to her deep investment in student growth and service.
As she enters retirement, DiPrima leaves behind not only a thriving chapter but a deeply inspired generation of young readers, writers, and leaders.
Gabriel Alkon: Inspiring Voices and Building Confidence
At Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Gabriel Alkon has redefined what a literary community can look like. Known for being “passionate, organized, open-minded, encouraging, and supportive,” Alkon exemplifies steady, thoughtful leadership.
Alkon’s hallmark initiative is the school’s annual Poetry Night, a beloved tradition that extends beyond Carrollton’s campus. Featuring activities like black-out poetry and “blind date with a book,” Poetry Night not only makes literature accessible and fun but also sparks conversations and deepens students’ love for the written word. “Through this event, Mr. Alkon has shown our community how studying literature can be exciting,” a student reflected.
Alkon’s commitment also shines brightly during National Poetry Month, where he organizes a month-long celebration full of creative events, including poetry slams and “Poetry in Pajamas,” a delightful intergenerational activity. “Poetry Month has become a staple of our NEHS chapter, and our school would not be the same without it,” a student noted, illustrating how Alkon has helped integrate NEHS into the school’s cultural fabric.
Though naturally introverted, Alkon courageously participates in poetry slams alongside his students. “Even when he loses . . . Mr. Alkon never stops putting himself out there. He shows us it’s okay to be nervous and exemplifies how to push through anxiety,” shared one student. In doing so, Alkon not only models vulnerability and bravery but nurtures the same traits in his students.
Alkon has also tackled challenges head-on, such as uneven student participation, by implementing a robust committee system and ensuring every NEHS student member has a meaningful role. “He ensures every student in NEHS feels she has a purpose . . . He pushes us to go beyond expectations,” a student wrote, crediting him with their personal growth and leadership development.
A Shared Dedication to Literature and Leadership
Both Tammy DiPrima and Gabriel Alkon exemplify what it means to be an outstanding Chapter Advisor. Their shared qualities—creativity, resilience, and a deep belief in their students’ potential—have shaped NEHS chapters that are vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring.
By nurturing not only literary skills but also confidence, community engagement, and leadership, DiPrima and Alkon remind us that the heart of NEHS lies in the transformative power of words—and the Chapter Advisors who bring them to life.
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.
