From free online tutoring to monthly competitions, Langley Math Honor Society seems to be reaching considerably farther than its fellow honor societies.

Starting in the 2nd quarter, all its members are required to participate in the Study Buddy program, in which MHS students tutor math online to underprivileged students from all around the country.  Students are expected to tutor online once per quarter. This is a change from last year, when members were required to tutor at least once per quarter during Saxon Time.

“I found out that other schools were doing it, so I thought we should do it too,” said MHS President Debbie Pan.

“The tutors will be able to relate to other students outside of Langley,” said Ms. Douglas, sponsor of the MHS.

The new policy seems to further widen the already existing gap between MHS and the other honor societies in terms of involvement in the community.

Almost every month, Langley MHS runs the Fairfax County Math League in Langley. Members are required to solve 6 challenging problems in 30 minutes. This is helpful preparation for the American Mathematics Competition in February, another exam required for the members.

Thanks to MHS’s efforts, six Langley students were able to make to the next stage of the AMC last year: the American Invitational Mathematics Exam. Of course, the exams are open to non-members also, providing them with practice and experience on high-level math.

Also, MHS encourages members to participate in the separate Saxon Time Mentor-Mentee program, in which mentors can earn extra credit. I’m not saying that the MHS is the only honor society engaged in tutoring, but it surely does it far more than any other.

This is what a honor society should look like; it should be training its members improve in a subject and help those struggling in the subject. MHS should be a role model for other honor societies in Langley, some of which seem to be inactive in the school community.