Over the past 20 years Coupeville High School English teacher Barbara Ballard has seen the National Honor Society program double in size.

Her effort emphasizing community service projects is one of the reasons more than 40 juniors and seniors joined the prestigious society.

Now, after two decades of advising, she is stepping down as National Honor Society advisor at the end of this school year.

The society is open to juniors and seniors who have earned a minimum 3.2 grade point average.

When she started as advisor, Ballard wanted students to get involved helping residents and groups around Central Whidbey Island.

“I wanted National Honor Society students to embrace the concept of community service,” Ballard said. Whether it’s community service project throughout the historic town or helping out other students, the Honor Society members have made an impact throughout town.

Ballard highlighted several watershed moments for the Honor Society students over the years.

The first incident happened in the mid-90s, when a student, Jenny Rothboeck, developed a recycling program at the Coupeville Post Office. Rothboeck graduated from Coupeville High School in 1996.

“That was an incredible project of hers,” Ballard said. “Her project showed everyone in the high school how big of an impact they could have on the community.”

The next moment came when Learning Partners was developed. The tutoring program paired members of the community and National Honor Society members with young students at the elementary and middle school level.

The last major watershed during Ballard’s tenure was the Honor Society getting involved at the elementary school organizing such events as the Fall Carnival and Winter Fest.

“The high school kids have as much fun as the elementary school kids,” Ballard said.

Currently, the National Honor Society students are working with the Coupeville Lions Club to raise money for scholarships.

When the Coupeville School District cut the Learning Partners program because of budgetary issues several years ago, officials brought in Big Brothers Big Sisters as a replacement. National Honor Society students were the first to volunteer to serve as big brothers and sisters.

Even though Ballard is stepping down from her position as advisor, she will continue teaching college prep English.

Her noteworthy efforts as National Honor Society advisor caught the attention of the Coupeville School Board, which recognized her years of service during a recent meeting.

“I think it has made high school much more relevant than getting a high grade,” Coupeville School Board member Kathleen Anderson said, commending Ballard for her success in inspiring National Honor Society members to spread their talents throughout the community.