“Have you taken as many art classes here at Skyline as you could, or do you plan to do so?” the morning announcements blared. “We have some exciting news if this sounds like you! Skyline is working on establishing the first ever chapter of the National Arts Honor Society here at Skyline High School!”
Earlier this fall, the Skyline Art Club and art classes spread news of recruitment for Skyline’s brand-new National Arts Honor Society chapter to all students via the morning announcements.
This National Arts Honor Society (or NAHS) chapter isn’t the first of its kind, but rather the first in the district. It will function similarly to the National Honors Society (NHS), an honors society with academic requirements that are rooted in community service, but it will only recruit active artists.
“There is a specific GPA that you would need to hit,” says Candace Ottaviano, one of Skyline’s two visual art teachers. “It’s an overall GPA of 3.5 and an arts specific GPA of 3.8. Outside of those requirements, you need to be available, you need to be interested and willing to do the community service hours.”
All interested applicants should talk to Ottaviano, with seniors needing to communicate their commitment before tri 3, and be prepared to pay the five dollar chapter fee.
Many people in the art program feel a sense of overdue recognition for Skyline’s visual art community, especially because this will be the first visual arts specific honor that isn’t in recognition of an individual’s artistic achievements. “Having honor societies and honors programs that aren’t just based around the core curriculum is very important to students’ creative processes,” said Lumi Mott (‘26), a long-time arts student and an NAHS chapter pioneer. “Being able to have their talents and interests shown in areas that aren’t just what’s provided in other honor societies and classes.”
Art provides a needed outlet for many students, lends itself to academic success, and serves as a connection point between students. “[Art] impacts my life by giving me new ways to branch out and make friends and start new hobbies,” says Kennedy Wassef (‘26), student athlete and artist. “And through art, you can really understand new things and different subjects you take, like math, science, it all connects.”
The art community’s desire to feel recognized is a big push behind the chapter opening. “[The chapter] is meant to honor and recognize the greatness that is already happening in our visual arts programs in our high school,” says Ottaviano. “Historically, Skyline visual arts programs have not been highlighted in a way that we feel is truly recognizing the greatness that is happening, and we’re hoping to change that by starting our first chapter.”
