Keegan Hicswa, a high school senior dedicated to his academics and heavily involved with PHS tennis, is the current 2023-2024 President of National Honor Society. In an interview with the Prowl, Hicswa revealed that this title meant so much more than just being an overseer of a prestigious organization; it is a role that has allowed him to help enact real change in the school and local community. 

Running an organization can be no easy feat, and for senior Keegan Hicswa, his major goal as President of NHS is to ensure a year of giving back to the community that is always so willing to help out others in need, displaying a trait that NHS adviser Tammy Schermister has seen grown over the last two years. “His maturity level has risen of course [from junior to senior year],” Mrs. Schermister said. “Even when you go from being a part of the presidency, when he was an officer last year, to now running it, you have to take on a lot of responsibility. Keegan is such a go-getter and is willing to listen to everyone’s opinions and take that into effect when he is making decisions. He is open, he is honest, and just a good kid.”

Question: For NHS, what’s something that has been your motivating factor for this entire organization?

Answer: So, I think one of my biggest motivators to me is just being able to help people in my community and see what impacts a small organization like NHS in our school has. It’s just really impactful because I get to realize how much help we can really do just being so small. I think that is something that is really important to both me and hopefully the rest of NHS as well. 

Question: When looking at something as big of a scale as the President, is that something you would say you would get intimidated by? If so, how do you handle to pressure that comes with such a coveted title?

Answer: You know, I think that the title really doesn’t matter as much as what you do through the title because I just get to be able to lead and help people more, since I am in a higher position. That allows for me to be more engaged in other things but I really don’t think the title has anything to do with how much one gets to help and how much I get to put into it. 

Question: For NHS, are there any role models you look towards or people that you have taken advice or perspective from that have helped you now?

Answer: My brother was a President [of NHS] last year, and he did an excellent job last year, as well as all of the other officers on that team, as well as our officers this year. I just strive to contribute to everyone’s ideas and continue to make everyone proud. 

Question: Leading into that idea of not necessarily being a title, but more so the legacy you leave behind, what is your intention with NHS throughout the school year? Is there any specific goals or ambitions you have going into say this month?

Answer: This month, we just recently put out a sock drive for people in need. Since it is getting colder around here, we are doing a sock drive with socks, hats, and stuff like that. And I think just this year, helping out as many people as we possibly can, raise money for both our organization and also the people we help through our organization. 

Question: And of course, being a senior and having all the pressures of senior year, is there anything that you are hoping to pursue once you graduate? 

Answer: I just want to continue my legacy of helping people, and I think throughout my career and whole lifetime, I want to make that the focus of my life  [after attending], Montana State or the University of Wyoming.