The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) chapter of Discovery Middle School brought smiles to children who were patients at Huntsville Hospital for Women and Children.

One NJHS member presented the idea to assemble boxes of goodies for the children. “We thought it was a great idea and something that would be very easy to do,” sponsor Caroline Miller said.

Principal Dr. Robbie Smith asked Miller and Allison Spratley to sponsor the honor society about four years ago. Miller teaches ninth-grade Spanish and broadcasting, and Spratley teaches honors Algebra I.

The Discovery students filled about 60 boxes with coloring books, crayons, puzzles, games, stuffed animals, nail polish, books and stickers. President Jenny Shen, vice president Mae Crumbley and secretary Annie Lian delivered the gifts.

The Discovery group “is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of this prestigious national organization,” Miller said.

New NJHS members meet required standards for scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character. Eighth- and ninth-graders can join during fall semester, while students in the second semester of grades 7-9 can join in spring.

“For the scholarship criterion, a student must have an overall numeric GPA of 93.7 from seventh grade to present, regardless of what school the student has attended,” Miller said.

“Those students who meet this criterion are invited to complete a student activity information form that provides the faculty council with information regarding the candidate’s leadership and service,” Miller said.

In addition, prospective members must submit a history of leadership experiences and participation in school or community service.

The chapter meets twice monthly in the Discovery library. Shen, Crumbley and Lian lead the meeting discussions about dues, T-shirts, service hours and upcoming service projects.