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National Honor SocietySponsors: Ms. Berglund and Ms. ElliottWhat is National Junior Honor Society?The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) recognizes outstanding high school and middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serve to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1929.Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS (High School) and NJHS (Middle School). NHS and NJHS 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 challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.
(Taken from www.nhs.us.)Who is eligible for NJHS?In accordance with national standards set by the NJHS, rising 7th and 8th grade students are eligible to apply for NJHS if they are able to demonstrate success in the following areas: Scholarship (a cumulative GPA of 3.6 on a 4 point scale), Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. Just because a student qualifies based on their cumulative GPA (scholarship) does not mean that they will be automatically inducted into the NJHS. Scholarship is just one element of selection.Who chooses inductees into the NJHS?After students fill out an information sheet and the required recommendation forms from teachers and/or other adults, all of their qualifications will be reviewed by our Faculty Council. The Faculty Council is an anonymous group of faculty members who make final decisions about who will be invited for induction into the NJHS. The Faculty Council also serves as the group who determines if a student should be dismissed because of a failure to meet expectations in one of the five areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, or Citizenship.What does an exemplary NJHS candidate look like?Scholarship: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.60 (on a 4.0 scale), as established 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 (and citizenship for NJHS.
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.Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.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.If I'm a 6th grader, what can I do to become a better candidate for NJHS in 7th and 8th grade?One of the best things you can do as a 6th grader is to have really strong grades. You should work hard every day in school because as a 7th grade inductee, you will qualify in the area of scholarship based on your grades in 6th grade! Also, becoming involved in school clubs and activities, following all school rules and being a great role model for other students will give you strong teacher recommendations. In addition, out side of school, you can begin to track community service hours (work in which you don't receive some kind of pay) in order to strengthen your information sheet.What do you do in NJHS?The goal of NJHS is to build leaders and do service. Other than that, the activities are up to the NJHS members. Things like car washes, fundraisers, leadership retreats, and team building activities are all ideas that have been discussed, but plans will not be made until our charter members are inducted this spring.Here is a link to the application: National Junior Honor Society Application