Old Saybrook High School’s National Honors Society (NHS) has been collaborating with Gladeview Rehabilitation & Health Care Center for a couple months, and the partnership has brought forth a new connection within the community.
The National Honors Society is a membership that empowers, champions, and recognizes well-rounded students through the 4 pillars; scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Most of it goes beyond the report card, as the NHS requires 10-50 hours of community service based on school, size of membership, and opportunities offered. NHS completes a project each year intended to serve and support the community through engaging students.
At Old Saybrook Highschool, opportunities for community service and leadership flourish beyond your average fundraiser. Samantha Walsh, the NHS president, has been in contact with Gladeview, and has connected members with activities and experiences outside of the classroom. Speaking to this connection, Sam says, “I feel really passionate and proud of this service project because it focuses on real connection in a world where everything is online.” Of greater importance, she believes that the interpersonal connection is where this project shines, sharing, “Our presence brings light to the often monotonous lives of the residents at Gladeview, but it also really benefits students to spend time and learn from people with so much life experience and to be a part of a project based in kindness and connection.”
NHS members have attended two events at Gladeview, glow bingo and puzzle palooza, and anticipate joining Gladeview for more events as the Spring continues. NHS member Brooke Garvey is a graduating senior in June, 2026 and participated in glow bingo, where Gladeview residents and OSHS students played bingo together under glow-in-the-dark decorations. After recapping the afternoon at Gladeview, Garvey says, “I enjoyed spending time with them [residents], and it’s a great experience to build a connection with the community.”
Despite Garvey leaving the high school next year, she “hopes the program continues, as it allows students to see different perspectives around the community.”
Interview
Glow bingo “I enjoyed spending time with them, and it’s a great experience to build connection with the community.”
Vs project last
“I feel like it allows us to build connections outside the school compared to last year.”
“Although I’m leaving [the school] next year, I hope the program continues, as it allows students to see different perspectives around the community.”
For the service project, myself and the executive board decided to take suggestions from the whole chapter for the project, and we felt the suggestion to work with a residential home and focus on outreach and connection was the easiest to facilitate and the most beneficial. I did some research into local options and Gladeview was the largest, most established community; even better, when I reached out they were incredibly receptive and thrilled to work with us, planning events just for us to come to and hang out with their residents.
I feel really passionate and proud of this service project because it focuses on real connection in a world where everything is online. Our presence brings light to the often monotonous lives of the residents at Gladeview, but it also really benefits students to spend time and learn from people with so much life experience and to be apart of a project based in kindness and connection.
