TOPS Student Named National Honor Society Scholarship National Semifinalist

Sachchit Balamurugan, a senior at Texas Online Preparatory School (TOPS), has been selected as a National Honor Society (NHS) Scholarship National Semifinalist, earning $3,200 in recognition of his outstanding commitment to scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Out of approximately 15,000 to 17,000 applicants nationwide, Sachchit was named one of only 575 National Semifinalists — a prestigious honor that reflects years of dedication to academic excellence and meaningful community impact.

For Sachchit, leadership has always meant creating opportunities for others. As Service Organizer Leader for NHS, he built a statewide database of service opportunities specifically designed for online students across Texas. As Founder and President of the Verbal Vortex Gavel Club, he created a space for students to build confidence and public speaking skills through bi-weekly meetings and competitions.

His impact extends globally through Youth Opportunities in Tech Innovation (YOTI), a nonprofit he founded that has led students from nine countries to build free apps and websites for nonprofits. As Founder and State President of Revvifi Texas Branch, he has trained a statewide team to develop websites for nonprofits and businesses.

In addition to these roles, Sachchit serves as State Vice President for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), where he manages Area 9 and supports students across the region. In this leadership position, he helped develop the first-ever service game in Texas FBLA history, an initiative that encourages students statewide to submit service hours and work collectively toward a goal of more than 10,000 service hours, with participants earning the opportunity to receive a gala prize at the State Leadership Conference. He also played a key role in establishing a partnership with Panda Express to raise funds for the gala award. This year, Sachchit further expanded FBLA programming by hosting the first-ever Area 9 Virtual Workshop, increasing access to leadership development and professional learning opportunities for students.

Whether leading his Boy Scouts troop through a 430-hour Eagle Scout Project, serving in leadership roles with FBLA and Business Professionals of America, or tutoring underserved students, Sachchit has accumulated over 1,000 verified service hours across education, disaster relief, and community development.

The NHS Scholarship funds will support Sachchit’s undergraduate education. The flexibility of online education at TOPS has given him the time and freedom to pursue his passion for nonprofit work and global impact while excelling academically. He plans to continue building on the strong foundation of service and leadership he has established.

Sachchit’s story is a powerful reminder that impact starts with a willingness to serve. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.