NHS Requirements

Requirements for Induction into the

Mount Hebron Chapter of the National Honor Society

The Mount Hebron Chapter of the National Honor Society is an organization promoting appropriate recognition for outstanding juniors and seniors.  The purpose of the National Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service to the school and community, to promote leadership, and to encourage the development of character in the students at Mount Hebron High School.

You can reach Mount Hebron NHS at http://www.mthnhshours.blogspot.com/

Requirements for consideration for membership of MTH’s NHS:

1. minimum cumulative unweighted grade point average of 3.40 at the date of selection
2. attendance at Mount Hebron for at period of at least one continuous semester
3. accumulation of at least 45 service points (30 in-school points) during the freshman and sophomore year for junior candidates, or 60 service points (40 in-school points) for senior candidates
4. regular demonstration of leadership capabilities
5. regular demonstration of integrity and quality character at all times

Each perspective member will be required to:

1. fill out a student activity form
2. obtain a service rating form from the sponsor of each activity in which he/she is a participant
3. obtain a character/leadership rating from six classroom teachers
4. write a three paragraph essay in which the following are explained:

a.    why the student wishes to be a member of NHS
b.    what he/she feels his/her role as a member would be
c.    how he/she plans to fulfill these obligations

The information on the forms mentioned above will assist the school’s Faculty Selection Committee in determining each student’s character and leadership qualities as well as the quality of his/her extra-curricular involvement.

The NHS Faculty Selection Committee will evaluate each applicant in the junior and senior classes who is academically eligible and who turns in all forms on time. Those students who satisfy all requirements and who are selected by the committee for membership shall be notified in writing of their selection.  A formal induction ceremony will be held in between October and December.

The Four Pillars of a National Honor Society Member

Scholarship: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.40 or higher, or the equivalent standard of excellence, (a GPA standard set by Howard County) meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character.

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. Members are required at least twenty hours of community service per school year once they are inducted. A student who serves:
•    is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude
•    participates in some outside activity such as Scouts, church youth groups, volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged, family duties
•    provides dependable and well-organized 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 interscholastic competition
•    does committee and staff work uncomplainingly
•    shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and other students

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. A student who exercises leadership:
•    is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions
•    demonstrates leadership in promoting school activities
•    exercising influence on peers in upholding school ideals
•    contributes ideals 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
•    demonstrates reliability and dependability
•    demonstrates leadership in the classroom, at work, and in school or community activities
•    is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted

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. A student of character:
•    takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
•    consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior
•    upholds principles of morality and ethics
•    cooperates by complying with school regulations
•    demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
•    shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others at all times
•    observes instructions and rules, punctuality, and faithfulness both inside and outside the classroom
•    has powers of concentration of sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies
•    manifests truthfulness

 
Criteria for Maintaining Membership in the National Honor Society

Membership in the National Honor Society carries a responsibility and obligation for each student to maintain the high standards of scholarship and academic integrity which were the basis of his or her selection.  Students will be expected to maintain at least a 3.40 GPA.  Failure to do so will result in the student being placed on probation-if the 3.40 GPA is not earned for each often remaining quarters, the student will be dismissed!  Students will also be expected to remain active in school and community activities and to participate in the service activities of the Mount Hebron Chapter of the NHS.  Any instances of questionable character will be evaluated by the Faculty Council whose members will determine the dismissal of the student.  Failure to uphold all standards of the National Honor Society Code in scholarship, character, leadership, and service may lead to dismissal from the society.  Once a member has been dismissed, he or she may not be reconsidered for future membership-all dismissals are permanent.

National Honor Society Activity Point Key

The following are worth 3 points:
•    school athletic teams
•    all marching unit groups
•    SGA executive board
•    mock trial team
•    major roles in drama production

The following are worth 2 points:
•    It’s Academic
•    class boards
•    supporting cast in drama productions
•    math team
•    newspaper editors
•    yearbook editors

The following are worth 1 point, but could be worth more based on the sponsor’s judgment:
•    AFS
•    SEA
•    FEA
•    JSA
•    SHOP
•    Yearbook staff
•    Viking Service Club
•    Korean Translation Club
•    Madrigals/choir/barber shop/beauty shop
•    Showband/jazz band
•    Drama production stage crew and chorus
•    Tutors from the language honor societies
•    Managers of a team
•    Statisticians of a team
•    Language clubs
•    Shakespeare club
•    Philosophy club
•    Speech and debate club
•    Quad A
•    Peer mediators/mentors
•    Literary magazine staff

The participation rating will be multiplied by the activity sponsor’s evaluation (0-5 points).  The point value assigned to community services will be determined by the faculty selection committee based upon the number of service hours per week and the amount of responsibilities undertaken.  Any school activities not covered above will also be reviewed and points assigned based on the time involved and the services provided by the student.