National Honor Society

Selection Criteria

Fall 2015

What is National Honor Society?

NHS was established to recognize outstanding high school level students. NHS honors students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character. There are over 1 million members of NHS in the US.

Membership

Membership in the National Honor Society is both an honor and a responsibility. Students selected for membership are expected to continue to demonstrate the qualities of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Qualifications

A student at OHS for at least one semester

Be a junior or senior Hold an overall average of 90% or higher Demonstrate outstanding performance in

all four criteria of: scholarship

leadership service

character

Scholarship:

Hold an average of 90% or higher This average is unweighted and not

rounded up This average is calculated from 9th grade

through the end of your sophomore or junior year (depending on your current year)

Leadership – the student who exercises leadership: Is resourceful in proposing new problems,

applying principles, and making suggestions Demonstrates initiative in promoting school

activities Exercises positive influence on peers in

upholding school ideals Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of

the school Is able to delegate responsibilities Exemplifies positive attitudes

Leadership - continued Inspires positive behavior in others Demonstrates academic initiative Successfully holds school offices or positions of

responsibility; conducts business effectively and efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability

Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities

Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted

Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude

Service – the student who exercises service: Volunteers and provides dependable and well

organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance

Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities

Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school

Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition

Does committee and staff work without complaint

Service - continued

Participates in some activity outside of school, for example, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged

Mentors person in the community or students at other schools

Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students

Character - qualities

A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities:

respect

responsibility

trustworthiness

fairness

caring

citizenship

Character – the student who exercises character: Takes criticism willingly and accepts

recommendations graciously Consistently exemplifies desirable

qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, and stability)

Upholds principles of morality and ethics Cooperates by complying with school

regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.

Character - continued Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and

reliability Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for

others Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful

both inside and outside the classroom Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and

sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies

Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others

Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment

How are you selected?

Selection to NHS is a privilege, not a right. Students provide information to be used by the selection committee to support their candidacy for membership.

Membership is granted only to those students selected by the Faculty Council.

The Faculty Council

Shall consist of five voting faculty members, appointed annually by the principal

Will be provided with copies of: Student applications Faculty review sheets Summary of attendance and discipline records

Will meet to review and discuss materials provided Selection for membership to the chapter will be by

a majority vote of the faculty council

Reconsideration

Reconsideration of a Faculty Council’s decision must be a rare occurrence if the council is to be expected to take its assignment seriously.

It is important to uphold the integrity of NHS standards and to recognize the potential danger of yielding to pressure tactics.

Applications are due to Mrs. Wolfgang in Room #324 by 3:15

on Wednesday, October 7th – NO EXCEPTIONS!