Broadneck High School Student Recognized For Academic Achievement

Krystina Lilly

Broadneck High School sophomore Krystina Lilly has been accepted into the invitation-only National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), an organization focused on honoring exceptional high school scholars for academic achievements and service to their local communities.

As a member of this organization, Krystina will gain access to countless scholarship, leadership, and professional development opportunities along with networking opportunities, guidance on the college search and application process, service activities, study abroad programs, and much more.

NSHSS was founded in 2002 by Claes Nobel and James Lewis to continue the Nobel family legacy of recognizing and rewarding excellence. The organization’s mission is to recognize academic excellence, honor the highest achieving high school students, and provide them with the resources and network to excel in college, their career and in the community. This mission is something that drew Krystina to the opportunity when she received the invitation to apply.

“One of my biggest reasons for joining is that [NSHSS] will help me get into a good college,” she said.

Krystina is quickly reaping the benefits of her membership. “NSHSS has already helped me find and apply for scholarships,” she said.

Following her acceptance in July, Krystina applied for multiple scholarships recommended by the organization and is awaiting decisions in October. Further, her membership has already enabled her to earn micro-scholarships, which allow students to earn toward tuition at specific colleges and universities based on their accomplishments or achievements in high school or community college. To use the funds, the student must be admitted to and attend the specific college offering the micro-scholarship.

So far, Krystina has earned approximately $25,000 in micro-scholarships to Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, although she has not decided where she plans to attend.

“I would really like to go to Swarthmore College, Northwestern or Northeastern University, but right now, I’m keeping my options open,” she noted. “My plan is to major in law and political science, and my dream job is to be a United Nations (UN) lawyer specializing in human rights.”

Krystina also plans to take advantage of other opportunities offered by NSHSS, such as its ambassador program, designed for student leaders who exhibit academic excellence and a strong commitment to community service. This fall, she is focused on her schoolwork, but she plans to apply during the spring application cycle.

On top of being an accomplished high school scholar, Krystina has done ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary dance for 12 years, and has performed at the pre-professional level for the past two years. As a pupil in Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s (BTM) pre-professional program, Krystina has been selected to dance with BTM’s professional company productions on a few occasions. These outside-the-classroom accomplishments are also recognized by colleges through micro-scholarship awards.

Krystina looks forward to continuing to meet her professional and academic goals but is also enjoying her time in high school. She credits her parents, Tina and Daniel Lilly, for much of her success.

“My parents have been a great support system and have really helped me accomplish my goals,” Krystina said.