This school year, Olympic Heights High School introduced a multitude of new projects, clubs, and honor societies that highlight the school’s recognition and appreciation towards its students. One of the newest additions includes Psi Alpha, the Psychology Honor Society. Psi Alpha differs from other honor societies because it bases its focus on real-life applications of both psychology and the recognition of it at a high school level. Its mission is to enhance high school students’ understanding of and knowledge of psychology, to focus on how psychology benefits society, and to bring awareness of career opportunities in psychology.

The Inspiration and Purpose Behind Psi Alpha at OH

Psi Alpha was brought to OH as a “way to recognize the students who demonstrated an interest in psychology in both real-life application, such as techniques to address one’s stress, and to further their career aspirations,” shared Dr. Seth Alper, AICE Psychology professor as well as Psi Alpha administrator. Dr. Alper was also inspired because “a handful of students finally ‘twisted [his] arm’ to bring Psi Alpha to OH.” Students encouraged him to help create a meaningful and enthusiastic honor society at Olympic Heights dedicated to psychology. This honor society will help them indulge further into their sparked interest in psychology. 

Eligibility and Membership Requirements

In order to become a member of Psi Alpha, students must pass the required AICE A-Level Psychology exams by the end of their junior year. Recently, students and members of the club voted to change this rule. Sydney Marchionni, Psi Alpha member and senior at Olympic Heights, explained, “The club met and decided that seniors with an A in A-Level Psychology or an A or B on the AS Exam can join during the second semester.”  This new guideline will allow more students to join the organization.

Commitment to Community Engagement

Psi Alpha has an important role in aiding its surrounding community as well as those far away. It is not only about academic recognition; Psi Alpha focuses on service and mental health awareness. So far, the society participated in a toy drive for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital to “donate 25 large bags of toys for its Holiday Toy Drive,” shared Dr. Alper. Future projects are focused towards mental health awareness. Dani Hodes, President of Psi Alpha and senior at Olympic Heights, shares that Psi Alpha planned a spirit week that focused on positive mental health in March. The spirit days included intriguing days, such as “letting go of baggage” and “feel-good music.” 

Benefits of Joining Psi Alpha

Members in Psi Alpha are given the opportunity to grow personally and academically. “On an academic level, this can help motivate students to continue to investigate how realms of psychology change over time and helps serve a basis for future courses beyond OH,” Dr. Alper stated. Beyond academics, students and members can be encouraged past boundaries they may not have known were available to them and gain valuable life skills. 

How to Get Involved

Students who have interest in joining Psi Alpha can either stop by Dr. Alper’s classroom or sign up in the fall at Club Rush or visit psialpha.org.