2024 National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients have been announced!

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The Education Plan® is proud to congratulate Jaedyn Lynch from Carlsbad, New Mexico, Sarah Montgomery from Socorro, New Mexico and Tevya LaDuca from Roswell, New Mexico – each one an inspiring, well-rounded middle school student who won the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award this year.

2024 marks the ninth year that 500 NJHS students from across the country were selected to receive $500 awards in the form of a 529 education savings account with The Education Plan. To date, $2.25 million has been awarded to 4,500 middle school students nationwide. The award recognizes middle school students who have demonstrated their commitment to the five pillars of the NJHS: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

Read on for more about the New Mexico students who received this prestigious award and their commitment to service and leadership at a young age.

Jaedyn Lynch, Carlsbad, NM

A math lover considering a career in software programming, Jaedyn is heavily involved in athletics, participating in football, track, and basketball. The Carlsbad Intermediate School Alta Vista Campus student also volunteers for important causes, including environmental issues like cleaning the Pecos River. “I know thousands of people would pray to be in my position, so I’m going to do my best to make the most of it,” Jaedyn says.

Sarah Montgomery, Socorro, NM

Sarah balances a passion for literature, athletics (volleyball, track), and volunteering at her church, where she sings and plays guitar in the youth choir. Inspired by the teachers who have guided her education and her volunteer work hosting “Fun Friday” events for elementary school students, the Pecos Cyber Academy student plans to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. “I enjoy working with young children and helping them to grow,” Sarah says, adding that this award means that “I will be able to focus more on starting my future than having to worry about paying back substantial loans.”

Tevya LaDuca, Roswell, NM

“I take ballet, lyrical, and jazz dance classes and will be a part of my high school dance team next year,” says the highly artistic student who also loves math because “there is no ambiguity.” Tevya also volunteers at her church, participating in outreach initiatives and mission trips. She enjoys being active in NJHS because she is “a part of like-minded students who want to better our community.” The Sidney Gutierrez Middle School student’s long-term plans include possible dermatology or speech therapy careers. Upon receiving this $500 award in middle school, Tevya says it has “encouraged me to save more.”

About the National Junior Honor Society

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) elevates a school’s commitment to scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. It helps middle-level students develop the knowledge and skills to become well-rounded student leaders in their school, community, and beyond.

NJHS chapters operate in all 50 states and schools worldwide, engaging and serving more than one million students. Each year, the average NJHS chapter contributes:

650 hours of school/community service
$1,000 in charitable donations
500 pounds of food to local, state, and national causes
375 pints of blood

Reflecting school leaders’ profound commitment to student leadership development, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) founded NJHS in 1928 to create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulating a desire to render service, promote leadership, encourage responsible citizenship, and develop character in secondary school students. In addition to NJHS, NASSP founded and manages the National Honor Society (est. in 1921), National Association of Student Councils (est. in 1931), and National Elementary Honor Society (est. in 2008).

Independent studies have shown that when a child or young teen has as little as $500 saved for college, they are three times as likely to go to college and four times as likely to graduate.
For more details on the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award, go to www.njhs.us/OAA.