About The Capeside High School 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 have demonstrated 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.
Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.
NHS membership is a privilege bestowed upon students by the Faculty of the school, and not considered a right inherent to any student.
Membership is granted only to those students selected by the Faculty Council on the condition of their having met the standards for selection based upon: scholarship, leadership, character and service.
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Scholarship is characterized by a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend the necessary time to cultivate his/ her mind in the quest for knowledge.
This pillar can only be achieved through diligence and effort. Scholarship means always doing the best work possible, regardless of impending reward. Some characteristics of scholars include:
- Committed to learning and curious about a wide variety of topics and issues
- Lifelong learners
- Confident they can do the work, even if they are uneasy at first about a class, an assignment, or a teacher.
- Willing to do the work, even if it is challenging, when they are given a rationale for it.
- Willing to seek help (from professors, peers, tutors, counselors).
- Willing to acknowledge and tolerate risk.
- Willing to accept and respond to constructive criticism.
- Willing to use and to develop further their skills at collaboration.
- Critical thinkers, eager to ask questions and listen to others.
- Eager to make connections among topics in their classes, world, and personal lives, to see the big picture of education and life.
- Creative, enjoying the new patterns that emerge from old ideas.
National Honor Society is a member of the Character Counts! Coalition. Through this activity, the society supports and recommends the use of a multi-faceted definition of character known as the "Six Pillars of Character."
A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
In addition, it can also be said that 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.
- Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.
- Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside the classroom.
- Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies.
- Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others.
- Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment.
Service is generally considered to be those actions taken by the student which are done with or on behalf of others without any direct financial or material compensation to the individual performing the service.
In considering service, the contributions this candidate has made to school, classmates, and community, as well as the student's attitude toward service can be reviewed.
The student who serves:
- Volunteers and provides 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 or inconspicuous responsibilities.
- Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school.
- Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition.
- Does committee and staff work without complaint.
- Participates in some activity outside of school- for example: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged.
- Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools.
- Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.
The leadership criterion is considered highly important for membership selection.Leadership is easiest shown in terms of the number of offices held in school or community organizations. However, It is important to recognize that leadership also exists outside elected positions including effective participation in other co-curricular activities offered on campus. Leadership roles in both the school and community may be considered, provided they can be verified.
The student who exercises leadership:
- Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions.
- Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.
- Exercises positive 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; conducts business effectively and efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability.
- Is a leader is the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities.
- Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.
- Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude.
Overview
The National Honor Society ranks as one of the most prestigious organizations for high school students. At Capeside High School, our chapter is more than just a collection of students who have reached a high grade point average. They are academically excellent students who are dedicated to service in the community, leaders through involvement in school activities, and young men and women who demonstrate exceptional character.
Selection to the National Honor Society is a privilege, and not a right. Students do not apply for membership; instead, they provide information to be used by the selection committee to support their candidacy for membership. The Capeside High School chapter is composed of juniors and seniors who have satisfied the following requirements:
- Scholarship: Candidates must have earned a 3.5 cumulative grade point average. This is calculated from first semester, 9th grade through 1st semester 11th grade.
- Leadership: Candidates should hold school offices or other positions of responsibility; be leaders in the classroom, in extra-curricular activities, and/or at work; participate in the classroom, in extra-curricular activities, and/or at work; demonstrate a continuous commitment to any responsibility accepted.
- Service: Candidates will participate in community activities or actions that are done with or on behalf of others without direct financial or material compensation. Whatever service they participate in they should be dependable, willing to sacrifice to offer assistance, and cheerfully and enthusiastically offer their time and energy. Candidates are required to complete 50 hours of community service by the end of the 1st semester of their junior year. This needs to be documented on a Community Service Form.
- Character: Candidates will demonstrate excellence of character in their actions. They will represent the school and community in a positive manner that is worthy of this prestigious honor. Character is demonstrated through the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
Overview
National Honor Society is more than an honor roll. The objective of the Capeside High School chapter of NHS is to recognize and foster enthusiasm for
scholarship, to promote the development of strong
character, to encourage positive
leadership, and to cultivate responsible citizenship through service to school and community.
These four principles shape the organization's activities and are reflected in the member's' responsibilities.
To remain a CHS NHS member in a good standing, students must:
- Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Act as a positive role model and representative of Capeside High School.
- Maintain excellence in integrity in leadership, scholarship, character, and service.
- Participate in an additional 30 hours of community service before graduation.
A member is never automatically dismissed for failing to maintain standards.
But members should understand that they are liable for dismissal if they do not maintain the standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and character that were used as the basis for their selection.
They should also be informed that they are allowed limited warnings during their membership but that in the case of a flagrant violation of school rules or civil laws, a warning is not necessarily required.
Furthermore, a student who is dismissed or who resigns may never again become an Honor Society member.
Service Oppurtunities
Upcoming service oppurtunities include:
- Harvest Carnival @ Peace Park, October 17, Ms. M. Teresa, mteresa@planetpeace.org
- Tutor Club, October - May, Mr. Wizard, wiz@tutors.com
- Meal Servers @ Main Street Cupboard, Saturdays and Sundays in November, Mr. Gordon Ramsey, gramsey@zagat.com
- Theater Club Usher, November 20-22, Mr. Neil Harris, nharris@broadway.com
- Ring Bells for Salvation Army, December 1-24, Sgt. Sarah Brown, sbrown@salvarmy.org
- Theater Club Usher, March 10-12, Mr. Neil Harris, nharris@broadway.com
Service Submission
Within three days following a service activity, members must submit the following form. (form should include student name, activity, date, hours, description, supervisor name, supervisor email). Failure to submit this form in a timely manner will negate the hours earned.
