National Junior Honor SocietyPanther Pride ChapterPrincess Anne Middle School

Virginia Beach, Virginia

What is the NJHS?• The National Junior Honor Society is more

than just a 3.5 grade point average. It is evidence of exemplary:– scholarship– citizenship– leadership– service– character

Evidence for all five of these pillars is necessary to be accepted into NJHS. We would like to go through each of these pillars with you so you know what the faculty members of the Selection Committee are looking for when they review your application, and we want to make sure that you know what is expected of those who are chosen to be members.

Scholarship

Seventh and eighth grade students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5000 for this school year meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration for membership in the NJHS on the basis of service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

The very first criteria is scholarship. Seventh and eighth grade students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 for this school year meet the academic requirement for membership. However, scholarship is more than good grades. It is a demonstrated desire for knowledge and to achieve beyond regular classroom expectations. It is attempting to go beyond “the minimum effort to slide by”—it is to accept academic challenges and be willing to put forth the necessary effort to excel in the classroom.

The NJHS is looking for students who exemplify the characteristics of top students in their seriousness toward education, and they should demonstrate a sincere desire for academic learning and achievement above expectations on a regular basis. Do you exhibit a seriousness toward education and learning and NOT “Just tell me what I have to do to get an A”?

Is that you?

CitizenshipThe student who demonstrates

citizenship understands the importance of civic involvement, has a high regard for freedom, justice, and democracy, and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, and school clubs.

Being a good citizen is more than waving the flag and learning about the Constitution. The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic involvement, has a high regard for freedom, justice, and democracy, and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as Scouting, community organizations, and school clubs.

Is that you?

LeadershipStudent leaders are those who

are resourceful and dependable. They are good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.

Positive leadership is also demonstrated in the classroom in group projects, on the playing field, in the band room and even in the hallways and cafeteria.

NJHS offers you the opportunity to develop your leadership skills through being an officer or a committee chairperson in charge of one of our events.

Is that you?

Leaders can be the ones at the head of the line, but they can also be quiet ones, as well--the idea generators and the ones who make things happen.

Character

The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyle.

Someone of good character earns his or her reputation by being honest, reliable, respectful of, and cooperative with others. Someone with good character does not cheat on homework or tests, spread gossip, lie, or bully others.

A person with good character does what is right even if it is not popular. Someone with character “stands up for the little guy”. Are you that kind of person?

Is that you?

Service

This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit.

NJHS here at PAMS prides itself on our service to others. Members have a requirement of fulfilling a minimum of five service hours per semester as well as taking an active role in our chapter’s service projects.

Everyone has talents that can be used to help others.

Is that you?

What does the NJHS do?• Some people do not know what the NJHS does here at

PAMS. Every school does things a little differently. Here, service is our most important goal. This year we planned, organized, and completed two major service projects and are in the midst of planning our third, an activity to help beautify our new school. We also help out with peer tutoring, sixth grade orientation, and end-of-the-year assistance for teachers. At our meetings, we work on our service projects, sometimes have speakers come in to talk to us, eat, and socialize. Officers and heads of service projects meet more often for planning. You can be as active as you have time to be.

What does the NJHS do?• Service projects

– Samaritan House Personal Items Collection Drive– “Soup”er Bowl of Caring– Holiday cards for US soldiers in VA Hospitals– Mentoring Program at PAES– Peer tutoring– Teacher and Staff Appreciation– School Beautifications (Yes, we scrape the gum off of

the cafeteria tables each year! Gross fun!)• Social events• Leadership opportunities

!

Mentoring Program

Panthers Helping Seagulls

Guest Speakers at MeetingsColonel Bill Davis, US Army, Ret. Former Special Forces Green Beret, spoke to us about leadership and is our community adviser. We love him!

James Tallmadge is the Dean of Students at South University. He tries to see us every year and talks about

developing our inter-personal & communication skills.

Why should an eighth grader apply?

• While it is true that eighth graders who are selected for membership at the end of the school year will be moving on to high school, it is good practice to learn how to “put your best foot forward” in a safe environment.

• You have worked hard and deserve to be recognized.

• It is good to do something positive.• You will make your parents very proud—don’t

they deserve that special treat to see you dressed up and the focus of attention?

Do you have what it takes?

If so, the Princess Anne Middle School Faculty would like for you to apply for the honor of selection into the Panther Pride Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society!

There is no right to membership; it is a privilege bestowed upon a student by the faculty of the

school.

Completion of the application is not a guarantee of selection

into NJHS.

IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!

How do I apply?In order to apply for consideration, you will need to download the application In In order to apply for consideration, you will need to download the application and teacher recommendations from this wikispace (http://pamsnjhs.wikispaces.com/home) . Then, complete the packet and turn it in to Ms. Bartley, the guidance department secretary, by the due date (May 8, 2014). You should complete it electronically, but you will need to print out the final copy to turn in. Ask your four favorite teachers to complete a recommendation for you.

Because the selection process is a blind review, make sure that the only place that you have your name is on the cover sheet. When you give the teachers their recommendation forms, your student identification number will be all that identifies you when the committee reviews your packet.

See important details in the application packet about where to place your name and student identification number.

When you give the teacher recommendation forms to the teachers, put your name on a sticky note so the teachers know whose form is whose!

The due date is

THURSDAY, MAY 8

to Ms. Bartley in Guidance! Late applications may impact selection.

The Selection Committee meets on Monday, May 12.

Warning: Due dates

are CLOSER than they appear!

Congratulations on being scholastically eligible to apply for this prestigious honor. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Peterson in Room 300 or Mrs. Solheim in Room 561.