PTSA Updating Knight Valor Award Requirements

As you discuss the new requirements for Knight Valor Awards with your students, take the opportunity to talk about the purpose and opportunities of these hours.

First, the Knight Valor Changes

• NHS and NHS PTSA will no longer track and verify community service hours beyond the forty (40) hours required for graduation. 

• BSD will continue to require 40 hours of community service as part of earning a high school diploma. 
• PTSA will continue to offer the Knight Valor Award in June to Graduating Seniors who track their own 41-plus hours of community service. All students who work at least 41 hours are eligible for the award. 
• Students should continue to track their community service hours after reaching 40:
  • Many colleges seek this information in their admissions applications, including the Common App and resumes.
  • Several local PTSA scholarships are awarded based on verified service. Student records should include dates and locations worked and supervisor contact information.
• Our Counseling Team and College & Career Advisor will continue to offer guidance to students for the role volunteer hours play in preparing for college and career, identifying community service opportunities, tracking hours, etc.

More importantly, why hours matter

Here's why it matters that you help your student plan to wisely choose where to earn their community service hours.

School districts have long used community service as a learning tool. The most important purpose remains teaching students that our society depends on mutual respect and assistance to thrive. Government programs provide for many of our shared needs, but many more come from our collaborative efforts.

In high school, community service also provides critical personal development opportunities for our young people. 

• Soft Skill Development (communication, teamwork, & problem-solving) requires real-world practice. Colleges and employers recognize that students who dedicate adequate time to these roles develop much stronger skills and perform significantly better as learners and employees.
• Finding (and testing) Purpose (that inner drive that provides motivation and perseverance) also takes real-life experience. Again, colleges and employers seek candidates who have demonstrated commitment to an interest through their voluntary endeavors. Experience in recruiting has proven that teens who pursue their interests beyond the classroom have tested their dreams against reality and found them sturdy enough to stand the rigors of advanced education and the challenges of real-world application.

You can help your student understand why these things matter. Our Counseling Team and College & Career Advisor will continue to offer guidance in finding opportunities that matter.

LEARN MORE on our Community Service pages.