“There is a special place in my heart for encouraging and recognizing the youth of the world.” – Claes Nobel

In case you don’t recognize the name, Nobel is, in fact, the grand nephew to Alfred Nobel, who established the Nobel Prizes. Following in his grand uncle’s footsteps, he founded The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) which helps out bright students with bright futures. NSHSS does this by offering unique opportunities such as college fairs and scholarships to its members. And while this might sound too good to be true, but just ask Erica Burkhart (12), to her it’s more than just true, it’s a reality. If that name sounds familiar to you, it’s because Erica is one of our very own Cougars.

She was one of the three students in the entire state of Colorado to get inducted into NSHSS which is certainly a feat to recognize and she’s feeling great about the whole thing as well! “My first thoughts [when I got the email] was, I was just so happy. I had no words for it.” Erica also found out that NSHSS would pay for half of her tuition if she went to West Virginia College and she could get a job while studying as well.

As part of her induction into the society, she went to the University of Chicago where they introduced the president, vice president and the newest of their inductees, Erica included, and got medallions stating that they are apart of it. “It was the most amazing experience ever, honestly,” she said of the experience.

So make sure you give Erica a congratulation on her amazing new membership with NSHSS!