Local TWHS student wins 2023 National Honor Society Scholarship

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the parent organization of the National Honor Society, recently announced the winners of the 2023 National Honor Society Scholarships, and one Woodlands teen is thrilled to be named as one of them.

Deborah Chu is a senior at The Woodlands High School and a student leader who has long been passionate about creating connections and building communities. She currently serves as president of TWHS' chapter of the National Honor Society – as well as president of the school’s Key Club and Model United Nations. Under the guidance of her NHS faculty advisor, Mr. Preston Balluck, Deborah was selected by NASSP as one of 25 National Finalists for the 2023 NHS Scholarship. Each finalist receives a scholarship in the amount of $5,625.

Every state in the U.S. is represented among the winners, along with the District of Columbia and overseas chapters; two students in the Sugar Land area were also named as finalists, giving the Houston metropolitan area a good representation with 12 percent of the winners. These students, all members of the class of 2023, were chosen from among thousands of applicants.


But it wasn’t until the COVID pandemic hit that she truly realized the importance of human connection. As president of TWHS’ chapters of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and Model UN, Deborah used her leadership skills to bring people together and make a difference.

Deborah has been a considerable force for social advancement in the area. During the Afghan refugee crisis, she organized the Beyond Borders Drive, which provided “welcome kits” for 20 families. As the pandemic created economic struggles, she continued to step up and organize events to help those in need. Her efforts resulted in packing more than 6,700 pounds of food at the Montgomery County Food Bank, collecting 2000 hygiene supplies for the people experiencing homelessness, and hosting a book drive that collected more than 500 books for underserved children.

Deborah’s commitment to service has not gone unnoticed. She is a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award and is a National Merit Finalist. Her ultimate goal is to serve in government and create equal opportunities for all children in America and preserve freedom in our country.

'Being awarded the NHS Scholarship has been an unreal experience and extremely fulfilling,” she said. “I honestly never expected to win the scholarship as I was aware of the extremely high quality of past national winners and current applicants. My whole high school career I have sought to give back to my community for all the opportunities and support it has provided me, and this desire has been what drives me to serve, advocate, and lead for others. Being given the scholarship has reminded me that hard work and sincere care for others do indeed pay off in the end, and this message is motivating me to continue my journey to make the world a better place in the ways that I can. Most of all, I am grateful to God for providing me with this blessing and am very humbled for being selected for such an honor.”

As a finalist, not only was she was awarded a finalist scholarship, but she is invited – along with along with Mr. Balluck her mentor – to NASSP's Trailblazing Leadership Week in April.