Ohio Educator Wins National Award

Contact: Michael Carr
703-860-7260

Washington, D.C. - Barbara Baltrinic, an English teacher and NHS adviser at Ellet High School in Akron has been honored by the National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) as the National Adviser of the Year. Baltrinic was recognized for her dedication and many contributions to the students of Ellet High School, while attending the NHS/NJHS national conference in the nation's capitol.

Baltrinic has spent the last 8 out of her impressive 21 years as an NHS adviser at Ellet High School in which she has truly transformed the chapter. She impresses upon her students that being a member of the NHS is a valuable opportunity for them to practice leadership skills in the community and serve as role models throughout the school. Her chapter leaders created a Leadership Team to reinstitute the Senior Seminar for the senior class, a coordinated, multi-disciplinary exploration of an important topic of the day. The chapter has supervised multiple annual bloodmobiles, assumed responsibility for maintaining the landscaping for parts of the school property, and reached out to assist with younger students at community functions.

"Mrs. Baltrinic serves as a model of life-long learning for her students and in particular the members of the National Honor Society," said Ellet High School principal Mrs. Mary Hardy. "Her encouragement of students to give their best, to serve their community and to pursue excellence in academics is constant."

The Rynearson Award was established in honor of Edward Rynearson, founder of NHS. Rynearson was the central figure in the expansion and development of the National Honor Society, promoting its growth and maintaining the records of the organization in its early years until his death in 1932. This award not only recognizes the significant contributions of one individual, but also highlights the contributions made by the more than 20,000 Honor Society advisers throughout the country.

The National Honor Society (NHS) and the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) are the nation's premier organizations recognizing outstanding middle level and high school students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. NHS and NJHS are proudly sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. For more information, visit: http://www.nhs.us