What Is The National Honor Society?

History & Function

The National Honor Society was formed in 1921 to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in the nation’s secondary school students.

 

The Four Pillars

Scholarship

Per national guidelines, at a minimum, students must have a cumulative GPA 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent standard of excellence.

 

Service

This involves voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation.

 

Leadership

Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.

 

Character

The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.

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Qualifications

A student must be at Newark Tech for at least one semester and a member of the junior or senior class. Candidates eligible for selection to the Newark Tech chapter must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5. Candidates eligible for selection must have good attendance (no more than 15 points—2 points per unexcused absence, 1 point per unexcused tardy). Candidates are expected to submit a student information form,  two teacher recommendations and a Vice Principal recommendation. Their eligibility shall then be considered by the Faculty Council based upon their service, leadership, and character.  All members are required to accumulate ten hours of community service by the end of the school year.

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Induction

Candidates are considered members after the induction ceremony which is held every year in the fall.

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What Can Members Expect

All members of the National Honor Society are required to participate every year in helping others through our annual toy drive for Newark children, food drives for Newark shelters and individual community service. The Society also sponsors college tours of such colleges as Yale University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, College of New Jersey, NJIT, and others.

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Benefits of Membership

Being a member of The National Honor Society at Newark Tech means more than just wearing an extra stole on graduation day. NHS is a nationally recognized society of scholar students, it looks great on college applications, and provides an opportunity to be involved in improving your school community. There are additional benefits of being a member of NTNHS, such as college trips, members only scholarship information, helping others outside of your community, and college and financial aid webinars by the national office of the National Honor Society.