- Norwell High School
- Welcome
National Honor Society
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Advisors: Mrs. Melinda Lane and Ms. Ashley Critchley
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 have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginnings in 1921. The purpose of this organization is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership and to develop character. Members of the Norwell Chapter are selected by a five-member faculty council who base their selection on demonstration of scholarship (which is a minimum grade point average of 3.50 on a four point scale), leadership, character and service. Academically eligible students are required to complete a questionnaire providing information on their service, leadership and character.
There is no participant fee.
Selection Criteria
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Leadership
The student who exercises leadership:
- Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities
- Exercises 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
- Inspires positive behavior in others
- Demonstrates academic initiative
- Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducting business effectively and efficiently, demonstrates reliability and dependability
- Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in school or community activities
- Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.
Service
The student who serves:
- Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude
- Participates in some outside activity: Girl Scouts; Boy Scouts; church groups; volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged; family duties
- Volunteers 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 responsibilities
- Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school
- Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and interscholastic competition
- Does committee and staff work without complaint
- Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.
Character
The student of character:
- Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
- Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)
- Upholds principles of morality and ethics
- Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
- Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
- Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
- Observes instructions and rules both inside and outside the classroom
- Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies
- Manifests integrity in all they do.
Application Process
Students with the minimum 3.5GPA requirement will be invited to apply for membership at the following times:
- Beginning of 3rd term junior year
- Beginning of senior year
- Beginning of term 3 of senior year
The application asks students to list:
- Any academic accolades or merit based awards that have been received from the school, teachers, or other organizations
- Experiences that speak to their character
- Volunteer/participation organizations that they are part of either through school, home, or the community
- Leadership experiences
Students will be asked to write short personal statement that will provide insight into their character, leadership, and achievements. A personal statement can be very helpful to the committee as they do not necessarily know every candidate. Candidates may also have significant experiences outside of the typical, and the personal statement can be helpful during consideration.
Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate the aforementioned qualities. Grade point average will be checked after the member completes his or her junior year and after the first semester of their senior year. Any member who fails to maintain a 3.50 grade point average shall be placed on academic probation for one semester, by the end of which time he/she must correct the average to retain membership. Any member who fails to perform a minimum of eight hours of service per semester shall be promptly warned by the chapter advisor and given a reasonable amount of time (usually two weeks) to correct the deficiency. Failure to complete service hours and/or turn in appropriate paperwork may result in dismissal. In the case of flagrant or chronic violation of school rules, a member may be dismissed. It shall be noted that in all cases of impending dismissal, a member shall have the right to a hearing before the faculty council. The administration will notify the advisor to the National Honor Society of violations of the Chemical Health and Academic Integrity policies by any national Honor Society member. Those who are selected as members of the Norwell Chapter will be inducted by means of an induction ceremony that takes place once a year in the spring.
A student who is not selected for membership in the National Honor Society may appeal the decision of the faculty council. The student must contact the advisor in writing within 10 school days of notification of non-selection. The faculty council will then revisit their decision and may ask the student to appear before the council. If, after revisiting their original decision, the council still feels that the student does not meet criteria for selection, the student may then appeal that decision in writing to the principal.