National Honor Society

The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921. Today, it is estimated that more than one million students annually participate in activities of NHS National Honor Society chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but also challenges them to develop through involvement in school activities and community service.

National Honor Society is more than just academic recognition. The NHS chapter establishes guidelines for selection that are based upon a candidate’s outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Scholarship: “Students who have a cumulative grade point average of  85%, B, 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent standard of excellence, or a higher cumulative average set by the local school’s faculty council, meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character.” (NHS Constitution, Article IX, Section 2)

Service: This quality is defined as the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, without direct financial or material compensation to the individual performing the service. Chapters may establish criteria that stipulate specific quantities of projects or service hours for candidates, as well as expectations of service obligations once a student is selected as a member.

Leadership: Student leaders are often viewed as those students who are resourceful, good problem solvers, involved in and promoters of school activities, idea contributors, dependable, and who are both organized and organizers. Experiences to be considered under the leadership criterion can include activities that originate in the school or community or both, as determined by the local chapter.

Character: The student of good character can be said to be one who upholds principles of morality and ethics; is cooperative and responsible; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and is a good citizen. Local chapters consider the values and traditions of both the local school and community when defining the character criterion. Specific standards for these four criteria may vary from one school to the next. Such variations are acceptable as long as they do not fall outside the parameters set by the National Council of NHS. All chapters are required to record and publish the criteria and general procedures used in their local selection processes. Final selection is made by a vote of the five-member Faculty Council, a selection committee appointed by the principal. The NHS adviser supervises the selection process and maintains copies of the local procedures and has them available upon request.

The Sunray High School National Honor Society will be inducting new members on November 9, 2010, at 10 am in the high school auditorium.