2016 Winner: Bailey Halpin
Bailey is the third from the left.
“It’s a huge honor to be the first recipient of the award given in his name,” says Halpin. “I’m extremely happy to represent the accomplishments of Jordan and everything he stood for — academics, leadership, and volunteerism. I look forward to continuing my academic career while keeping in mind the qualities that Jordan displayed and using them to influence those around me just as he did.”
Winning essay
Ever since elementary school, my goal was to become a member of the National Honor Society. Not only is a membership a stepping stone to ending my school career with a stole around my neck at graduation, but it is a way to serve the community on a level one cannot do alone. After my acceptance, I realized that, although I was a member, I needed to work to prove that “National Honor Society” means more than an extracurricular activity on a resume; it is an opportunity to use my time to put others before myself.
For my senior service project, I distributed winter supplies to the homeless in Cincinnati. As I sat in Washington Park, I watched numerous homeless people gathering the items they needed just to survive. Halfway through the day, I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to find a woman gazing up at me. She looked at my table and said, “May I please have that?” pointing to a one-dollar blanket I had bought, and I ensured she could take as much as needed. She looked at me and tears rolled down her cheeks. Her name was Angel, and I still visit her fairly often. She is a constant reminder of the importance of selflessness. This experience is what truly sparked my love for volunteering.
This is also what led me to recognize the challenges I face and understand that although it is hard, there are worse things in life. In May 2011, I began enduring severe migraines brought on by stress and lack of sleep, resulting in having to stop whatever I am doing for countless hours. As a full-time AP and dual credit student, having both a part-time job and leadership roles on two varsity teams, my migraines make it difficult to keep myself from leaving early or being fully engaged in the task at hand. I have a tendency to stay committed to whatever I begin; however, when it is not possible for me to fulfill obligations, it brings on more stress…and migraines.
Because of the support from the Beechwood community, I have turned my situation into a positive outcome. I have learned to put my time towards other organizations. With this, I have maintained above a 4.0 GPA, while taking five AP classes and four dual credit courses. I look forward to using these qualities learned from my volunteer experiences and life obstacles to take on any future endeavors that the world brings. This fall, I will begin my college career, and I hope to pledge a sorority that focuses heavily on the Greek system’s philanthropic missions. I plan to obtain leadership roles in on and off campus organizations, and the characteristics I have developed thus far are qualities that can be perfected by continuing my service. What began as a desire to wear a fancy stole at graduation advanced into an opportunity that has positively changed the way I carry out my daily life.