Carroll High School is fortunate enough to have a National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and is the only Catholic high school in the Dayton area to offer it.  NAHS is an organization dedicated to promoting and giving value to visual art in education. The society benefits the students in many ways, but also benefits the school and the Greater Dayton area.  Much time is spent using the creative talents and ideas of the NAHS members for the good of the community.  Here are some ways the members of the NAHS share their artistic gifts.

Halloween Bag Decorating

During October, each NAHS member creates a hand-drawn Halloween design on a white lunch bag, and art students donate bags of candy that are used during the meeting to fill each decorated Halloween bag.  We also have our Halloween party during this meeting and have a great time listening to Halloween music, eating candy, and filling Halloween bags for the less fortunate. The NAHS uses the expertise of the Campus Ministry Department (AKA Mrs. Fisher) to direct our donations to those in the community that have a need. Many times, the Halloween bags are given to the kids in the El Puente after-school program. The bags are always received with much happiness and many smiles.

Christmas Art Supply Donation

Each December, NAHS members collect art supplies, such as crayons, markers, paper, paints, colored pencils, paint brushes, and more to lovingly wrap and donate to children in need. The wrapping party is a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas amongst the NAHS members as they give back creative items in hopes of inspiring other young artists like themselves. Unfortunately, because of logistics relating to COVID-19, NAHS was not able to have their usual Christmas wrapping party.  However, the NAHS members unanimously decided that the art supply donation must go on with or without the party and are continuing the tradition of gathering art supplies to donate to those less fortunate this holiday season. It’s wonderful to see students find ways to continue traditions and community outreaches in the midst of the pandemic. The need for cheer in our community is especially important now, and it is a proud moment to see students rise to the occasion.

School-wide Photography Contest

In the Spring, NAHS sponsors a school-wide photography contest as a way to invite the entire school into our art community. The contest gives all Carroll students the opportunity to be creative and possibly have their photographs showcased as one of the winners of the contest. The contest features 4 photography categories: Nature, People, Animals, and Objects. For each category, there is a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, place winner. National Art Honor Society members vote on their favorite images for each category.  The winners are then displayed in the front lobby showcase or on social media and are awarded prizes for their winning work. The contest is a great way to give all Carroll students the opportunity to be recognized and showcased for their creative ideas.

Carrying on the Carroll Art Legacy

Carroll High School has always been a place of giving and kindness.  The National Art Honor Society has made it a priority to use their organization with the same intentions. Carroll Visual Art students recognize the gift they have in their artistic talents and want to use those talents to bring cheer and goodness to the community. God-given talents are meant to be shared and used to bless others.  This belief has always been and will always be a staple to our artist community at Carroll High School.