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What is the National Honor Society?
Founded in 1921, NHS is the most prestigious of national organizations and societies that promote appropriate recognition for students who reflect outstanding accomplishments in the areas of academics, character, leadership, and service. Students do not "apply" to NHS; instead, membership is an honor bestowed on students by the school's faculty.
Arrowhead's NHS chapter is extremely active and highly visible. All members vote to select an advisory council consisting of co-presidents, a secretary and several board members, who will lead the various NHS committees: service, senior citizen, fundraising, teacher appreciation, tutoring, and scrapbook.
Who is eligible for membership consideration?
All sophomores, juniors and seniors who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above are sent letters advising them of having met the academic criterion for membership, and inviting them to complete and submit an information form pertaining to school and community service and leadership.
How are members selected?
All faculty members are asked to evaluate eligible students in the areas of character and classroom / school leadership. These evaluations and the student-submitted information forms are given to a five-member faculty council, whose members are chosen by the principal in accordance with the national guidelines. On the basis of all the information provided, the faculty council rates each student in the areas of character, leadership and school and community service. As with academics, students are rated on a 4 point scale in each area. The faculty council then votes on the membership of each student. Those who receive 3 or more faculty council votes are approved. Generally speaking, faculty council members are looking to honor students who meet a minimum rating of 3.5 in each of these areas. Students are advised by letter of their acceptance or rejection.
When are members selected and notified?
The selection process is long and arduous. Eligible students are notified by mail shortly after the beginning of the second semester and given approximately 10 days to submit information sheets. The NHS advisors compile the sheets as well as the faculty evaluations. Actual selection does not begin until March and can take several weeks to complete. Students are notified around April 1st of the faculty council decision. The mandatory induction ceremony takes place the evening of the 4th Monday in April.
How much of a commitment do members make?
Membership in NHS is more than an award of recognition. It is also a commitment to continue to model the qualities for which students were selected. At Arrowhead this means that there is a minimum commitment of one 45 minute meeting per month (at 6:45 a.m.), as well as one or two committee meetings each month. Each member is expected to be on at least one committee, and also to complete at least 6 hours of NHS-related service each semester. Members are also expected to maintain high character and a minimum of 3.5 GPA.
What if a student does not follow through on his or her commitment?
The faculty council has the power to remove a student from membership for failing to maintain the standards for which he or she was selected. Students will be advised when the council is meeting, and invited to attend to plead their case. If the faculty council then decides to dismiss a student, he or she cannot be considered for membership again at a later date.
Can the faculty council's decisions be overruled?
Yes, but only by the school principal, and there must exist extenuating circumstances. It is rare that the principal overrule a decision on either membership non-selection or dismissal.
NOTE: Neither Mrs. Neumann-Hayes nor Mr. Zuercher are members of the faculty council. Although both are in attendance at the faculty council meetings, they are there to record decisions, but have no say or vote in any part of the decision-making process.
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