National Honor Society Statement

The National Honor Society was founded to recognize and encourage the ideals of scholarship, character, service, and leadership.  It differs from an honor roll system in that an honor roll has only a GPA requirement whereas members of the NHS must maintain and extend the qualities of scholarship, character, service, and leadership that won them selection for this honor.  Thus, membership in NHS is both an honor and commitment. 

                  Prospective seniors with a minimum GPA must submit an Interest Survey to the NHS Faculty Board for review.  However, senior members do NOT have to complete an Interest Survey.  These members need only to fill out the Senior Update for review.  Once selected, candidates have the responsibility to demonstrate these qualities.  Each candidate must fulfill, or continue to fulfill the following requirements:

• Scholarship- The student must maintain a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative GPA.  If the student’s cumulative GPA falls below this, candidacy or membership will be forfeited. 
• Leadership- The student must demonstrate leadership in some aspect of their life; perhaps by promoting school activities, acting as a positive role model for peers, or acting as a leader in the classroom, at work, school, or community activities.  In addition, members are required to complete a leadership project and at least one Unity Project with NHS per year as a group in order to show their leadership skills.  The student should keep in mind that as a NHS member they are considered role models for their peers both in school and at social activities, and he or she should act accordingly. 
• Character- The student must comply with all school rules, athletic codes, and civil laws.  Cheating and plagiarism (of any sort) are grounds for expulsion from NHS.  If a student violates any of these guidelines, or suspects that he or she may have inadvertently done so, it should be reported to a NHS sponsor immediately.  In some cases, this may require a hearing for the student in front of the NHS Faculty Board. 
• Service- The student will be required twenty-five (25) hours of community service.  It is preferred that the service hours are performed at an agency that is on the Approved Agency List.  Students may perform work at an outside agency only after it has been pre-approved by the NHS advisors.  For continuing candidates, this service must be of a different type and location from last year.  The service hours must be completed, documented, and on file by Friday, February 27, 2009.  Each student will be required to attend all NHS meetings.  See the NHS Meeting Policy for details. 

Candidates or members who are in violation of school rules, athletic codes, civil laws, or fall below the standard requirements may be required to appear before the Faculty Board to determine eligibility status. 

An induction ceremony is held in the spring when successful candidates become new members of the National Honor Society.  Senior members will be honored at this banquet and will receive their gold cords for graduation at this time.  Each member receives an official membership certificate and a NHS seal on his/her diploma.  National Honor Society members are also awarded gold honor cords for his/her robe at graduation to distinguish themselves as the scholars, leaders, and exemplary citizens that they have become.  In addition, membership in the NHS is one component of becoming a Belleville West Scholar- one of the highest honors a student can receive.