After school Thursday in Room 101, a little-known club held its second meeting.  The room was filled with discussion of decorations for the upcoming Homecoming dance, as well as friendly conversation among the students.  Advisor Sarah McKee and President Maddie Snow checked in on the groups of students as they brainstormed ideas for different design aspects for Homecoming – a driftwood-like banner to hang by the entrance to the dance, props for a photo booth or decorations for the gym.  It was the second meeting of the National Art Honors Society, or NAHS.

“It seems like a relaxing, fun activity to do,” sophomore Eunice Lee said.  “It’s not a super big stressor, and, if you like art, this is something you should consider.”

Thursday was Lee’s first meeting with NAHS, having been invited by a friend.  She will be one of over 20 students to help create Homecoming decorations, as well as participate in other activities, both at the school and elsewhere.  Last year, NAHS members aided in creating WaterFire Kansas City at the Plaza.  Students made fuse bags which were used to create fires along the river.  They also created the decorations for dances and made the annual senior mural.

“You get super involved in a lot of what’s going on at school, because you get to make all of the cool stuff, like the homecoming mascot that burns and decorations for dances,”  McKee said.  “Also, it’s a pretty laid-back group.  We like to have a good time.”

Even though the group participates in much of the behind-the-scenes action at the school, many students don’t even know it exists.

“I feel like we’re the ‘unspoken’ club,” Snow said.  “Nobody really knows about us that much.  So, this year, I was going to make us known.”

Snow plans to heighten the club’s participation in school events in order to bring recognition.

Although the club’s numbers have been few in the past few years, there has been a surge in growth this year that built on already established bonds.

“You really get to know all the people in there,” NAHS Treasurer Tyler Howard said.  “In the past few years, it’s been a pretty small group, and we’ve gotten pretty tight-knit.  [Now,] it’s expanding.  And now that there are a lot more people, it’s kind of like our family.”

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