Members of the National Residence Hall Honorary service organization are considered to be in the top 1 percent of campus leaders, and set out to make residence halls a better place to live.

NRHH President Hannah Plevka said the organization responds to four pillars that all members are recommended to embody.

“They are leadership, recognition, scholarship and service,” said the senior journalism major. “We look for people to join our organization who have embodied those characteristics.”

Plevka said her leadership roles started when she got involved in her various residence halls.

“I started out as a hall council member in Carman Hall, and last year I was secretary for RHA,” she said. “I have also been a desk assistant, a job through housing and a conference assistant.”

During the academic school year, the NRHH organization sponsors many events and programs throughout the campus community.

Plevka said the service organization has been in charge of the recycling process throughout campus.

“Twice a week, we pick up cans and bottles in the residence halls,” she said.

The organization also sponsors “Can Warz and Bottle Battlz,” a contest to see which residence hall can recycle the most in a month.

Plevka said the NRHH has also been responsible for breast cancer awareness month in October.

“We raised over $4,000 for Mills Breast Cancer Institute in Urbana by selling T-shirts and having a dunk tank,” she said.

The organization also conducts fundraisers for scholarships.

“We are raising money for the (Residence Hall Association) scholarships with events such as ‘Pie your RA and executive board member,'” she said.

The four scholarships recognize outstanding students who have contributed to their campus community through housing programs.

The NRHH has also co-sponsored events such as the “Beyond Words: Museum of Oppression 2009” and Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a foundation for childhood cancer.

Plevka said students interested in becoming inducted into NRHH should first become involved in their various residence halls.

“It would really help if they start getting involved in their residence hall such as going to the RHA meeting,” she said. “They can always talk to their hall director.”

Plevka said usually every year in January, the organization sends out letters to the residence hall directors and leaders on campus.

“We give them a definition of NRHH, and then they are nominated,” she said. “We ask them a couple of questions and then they have to fill out an application.”

Plevka said the organization could acquire up to 1 percent of the campus population when the time comes to induct members.

“This is about 30 members a year,” she said. “This year we have inducted 19 members.”

Plevka said several benefits come from being a member of the NRHH.

“It is a personal honor to be in the organization,” she said. “You get to meet so many new people.”

Plevka said being a part of the organization has been awarding.

“It has been an experience for me. Being president, I could help other leaders on campus and watch them grow,” she said.

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.