Donna Murphy
Donna Murphy has served as the NHS adviser of the Raymond G. Pluemer chapter of the National Honor Society for over seven years. Murphy says being an NHS adviser “has afforded me the opportunity to guide students to find their voice and passion as leaders, mentors, and tutors for our student community. Guiding young men and women to find their passion for service to our school and the larger civic community, to help the young people find the courage and confidence to assist their classmates through tutoring, and to watch my students grow to confident, strong leaders in our school has been the most significant experience as adviser to our National Honor Society chapter.”
In addition to her duties as the chapter’s NHS adviser, Murphy has served as the school counseling chairperson for Eastern Technical High School since 1998. She has been recognized as the Maryland Counselor of the Year (2015), the Baltimore County Counselor of the Year (2014 and 2016), and presented several academic papers at national conferences.
Murphy’s nomination was strongly supported by her school principal, C. Michelle Anderson. Anderson believes that “one of the most important characteristics Ms. Murphy possesses … is her ability to recognize, understand, and appreciate the value in the relationship adults have with students in a school setting. As an adviser, she understands the impact and influence she has in helping students to view the world through a different lens.”
Murphy’s leadership and dedication is echoed by the chapter president, Hana Harwood, who speaks to the impact of Murphy’s leadership. “Ms. Murphy has created a membership dedicated to service. Over her years as NHS adviser, expectations have been established for active engagement, support of inclusion, and service to the school.” Harwood joined NHS as a sophomore and was quickly entrusted with various responsibilities which she says helped develop her leadership and organizational experience. She credits Murphy helping prepare her for her current role as NHS president. “For students who express an interest in leadership and service, Ms. Murphy prepares them for pivotal leadership experiences, and grants each student the opportunity to expand upon their dedication to service and scholarship.”
Both Harwood and Anderson enthusiastically supported Murphy’s nomination for this recognition, and NASSP and the National Honor Society are honored to recognize Donna Murphy as the 2019 NHS Rynearson Adviser of the Year.
NASSP is the parent organization of the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society.