Nation's Brightest Honored for Their Academic Excellence and for Their Community Leadership

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of the anniversary of Katrina and kicking off Hispanic Heritage month, The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), the premier organization for high school scholars will convene in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 2 p.m. CT at Tulane University, to honor students from across the state and the nation who have maintained academic excellence and have given back to their respective communities despite the odds they faced.

University of Texas freshman, Ignacio Cruz, grew up in Texas. He overcame the obstacles of residing in an impoverished community to further his education, his life and his community.  Despite the challenges he faced in his personal life, Ignacio rose above and beyond by maintaining a high scholastic average while commencing his own efforts to teach tolerance and respect toward all students at his high school through an exemplary display of leadership and community service.

Katherine Mitchell of Georgia lived with the shadow of illiteracy dating two generations back into her heritage.  Recognizing the burden of an elder family member not being able to read and write, she set out to make a change.  She is developing a literacy program for older adults that she hopes to implement in her Atlanta area community.  Katherine is a freshman at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Students like these, and Louisiana high school student, Rachel Broussard, will be joined by educators who have touched the lives of so many in and outside of the classroom to receive a public recognition and award by Claes Nobel, senior member of the Nobel family and co-founder of NSHSS.  James Lewis, president and co-founder of NSHSS, shares Mr. Nobel's passion for youth and states, "It is important that we recognize these young scholars who for working not only on their academics, but also working to improve the lives of those in their communities."

International brand Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) supports the passion of these students and all NSHSS members.  As part of their partnership with NSHSS and a sponsor of this recognition event, A&F provides valuable resources for NSHSS to offer scholarships and vital educational programs.

About The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS):

NSHSS was established to highlight the accomplishments of high school students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship, and community commitment, as well as to foster their continued success. NSHSS has inducted over 700,000 members from over 160 countries. NSHSS provides a wide array of member benefits that prepare students for both college and careers, including over $1.1 million in scholarship awards since the organization was founded in 2002.  For more information log onto www.nshss.org

SOURCE National Society of High School Scholars