National Honor Society at DHS

The National Honor Society (NHS) stands as the foremost organization nationwide dedicated to acknowledging exceptional high school students. Beyond merely listing accomplishments, NHS aims to celebrate individuals who exhibit excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. These qualities have been linked with NHS membership since its inception in 1921.

Here at Deering we believe that the National Honor Society is not merely a platform to honor our top achievers, but a testament to the recognition that individual success is the result of collective effort.Therefore it is our goal to give back to the community that has given us so much. Students are invited to join by the faculty at the end of their 11th grade year, based on criteria established by the national organization and defined in a local context. Members must:

maintain a 3.25 GPA
participate (once elected) in the NHS community service project as determined by the advisors and members
maintain leadership and community service
continue to demonstrate good character

For students interested in applying and current NHS members, please see the links in the sidebar for helpful information and required paperwork.

Eligibility Requirements

Basic Requirements for Admission into the DHS NHS

GPA of 3.25 or higher
Earned credit for at least 5 AP or Honors (distinction) courses
Participation in at least 4 school activities with 2+ year commitment.
Leadership role in activity, service or work.
Minimum of 30 hours of documented community service.

Who is eligible to be considered for membership in the National Honor Society?

What is the selection process for becoming a member of the NHS?

Around the first week of second semester, all academically eligible 11th graders will be invited by mail to apply. The mailing will include forms for documenting your extracurricular activities and service. Though these forms will be sent to you at the time your eligibility is determined, if you are a 9th or 10th grader planning to be eligible, it is highly encouraged that you print these forms out on your own and keep track of your activities and community service hours on your own.

List of School Activities and Sports is an opportunity for you to document all of your Deering-related activities. Leadership roles will be considered over basic participation. Signatures from advisors, coaches, or supervisors must accompany every activity accounted for. Include any activities you’ve participated in during your 9th, 10th, and 11th grade years. Do not include any activities from middle school or the summer before 9th grade.
Evidence of Community Service Outside of School will be provided using this form. Service opportunities do not include paid work. For students who have family or individual health circumstances that severely restrict service opportunities, those restrictions should be described and explained in an attached document. The committee strongly favors a commitment to service demonstrated through consistent and ongoing efforts rather than a burst of activities in the fall of 11th grade. Candidates whose records of service reflect a last-minute effort are much less likely to be invited.
Leadership Verification Form Here you will describe in detail the leadership role(s) you have taken on. Leadership roles should place students in positions of special responsibility, require students to facilitate effective communication between individuals and/or groups, or require students to set a goal and create an action plan to achieve it.

What are the criteria for acceptable character?

A student of acceptable character will display respect for school rules, honesty, fairness, courtesy, and respect for peers and adults. The NHS committee will highly scrutinize those students with any documented disciplinary infractions.

Additionally, any violations of academic integrity – cheating, plagiarism, copying work or allowing your work to be copied, sharing of test answers, etc. – may all be grounds for denial by the selection committee, whether or not a teacher took disciplinary action. Similarly, serious disciplinary infractions, bullying, or violations of the code of conduct will be grounds for denial or dismissal as well. Please carefully consider this in the choices you make.

Academically eligible students who have ANY recent, or serious, disciplinary issues on record from any point in their high school career are invited to submit a written statement with their packet which should include the following:

An honest explanation of the incident that occurred
An explanation of why the behavior in question was not acceptable
An explanation of how the student has learned from the experience

Go Back to Clubs & Activities

Advisor

Advisor

Bylaws

Members of the National Honor Society excel in the areas of scholarship, leadership, character, and service. All students are also expected to follow school codes relating to academic honesty, social integrity, and acceptable behavior. Any member who violates these rules and standards is subject to removal from the DHS Chapter of the National Honor Society. These matters will be handled by the NHS Faculty Advisory Committee and the NHS advisor, and DHS admin.

Scholarship

In order to be admitted into NHS at Deering, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.25. Once inducted, an NHS student must maintain a semester average of 3.25 during all semesters in which they are a member of the NHS. Failure to maintain the aforementioned GPA will result in that student being placed on probation and being inactive. To be reinstated in the club, the probationary student must earn at least a 3.25 GPA in the subsequent semester. If this standard is not met, the student will face dismissal from the NHS.

Leadership

Students who meet the requirements for the pillar of leadership must:

Successfully hold offices or positions of responsibility and or demonstrate active leadership in school or the community. (Note: Solely being a member of a club or participant in a sport or activity does not constitute leadership.)
Demonstrate leadership in the classroom and in school activities.
Display influence on peers in upholding school ideals and rules.
Exhibit positive attitudes and inspire positive behavior in others.
Contribute ideas that improve the civic life of the school.

Leadership positions need not be in school-sponsored activities, and may include religious groups, community service organizations, local advisory boards, and other similar activities. However, in all cases, it is important to remember that “membership” does not constitute “leadership.”

Character

Students who meet the requirements for the pillar of character must:

Demonstrate the highest standards of honesty and reliability
Observe instructions and school rules both inside and outside of the classroom. (Members reported for cheating or academic dishonesty, plagiarism, lying, or other inappropriate actions including, but not limited to, violations of school or district policies on alcohol or controlled substances, are subject to removal from NHS.)
Manifest truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules. This includes guidelines concerning property, behavior, social conduct, and similar ideals.
Look out for the good of their classmates.
Show courtesy, concern, empathy, and respect for others and consistently act with appropriate behavior.
Graciously accept constructive criticism.

Further guidelines on how students are expected to conduct themselves in school can be found in the Deering High School Family Handbook. Failure to maintain high standards of character can be cause for probation or removal from the NHS.

Service

Students who meet the requirements for the pillar of service must:

Complete the required amount of service hours for induction and while members of DHS NHS. (See next section for service hour requirements.)
Document all service hours via service hour forms available on DHS’s NHS website or from the club sponsor.
Participate in service groups outside of schools. (Ex. scouts, church groups, animal hospitals, homeless shelters, etc.)
Be willing and able to offer assistance when help is needed.
Must eagerly represent a class or the school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition.
Readily assist in any requested service to the school
Complete service work without complaint.
Collaborate with fellow volunteers no matter how difficult the task

Minimum Service Requirements: Members must complete a minimum of sixteen hours of community service between their induction in April and May of the following year. The sixteen hours will include least two hours on each group service project (there will be three per year), 5 tutoring sessions, and 5 hours spent an individual service project

Documentation of Service: All service hours must be documented on the current member service forms. Service hours must be documented in half-hour and hour increments, not minutes. Service must be signed-off on by non-family members. Each member will submit their service hour sheet to the club secretary at the end of every other month, or at the conclusion of each project.

Officers

Each new class of inducted members will elect officers within two weeks of their induction. Class officers will serve until the class graduates, unless they resign or are removed from office.

Each class will have three officers:

PRESIDENT: The President will plan and conduct the bimonthly NHS meetings, and any additional meetings as necessary. The president will maintain regular communication and coordination with the advisor and the other officers. The NHS president will be expected to plan and lead at least two service projects during the school year, and to assist the advisor with the logging in of applications in February. The president will take a lead role in helping the other officers keep up to date with their duties, including assisting in creating and utilizing digital records for the NHS. They will also give an address at the induction ceremony for new members in April.

VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice President will work with admin to coordinate the NHS tutoring program. The tutoring program is the NHS's most important ongoing service program. Please keep in mind that students who turn to us for tutoring help are counting on the Vice President to be timely, organized, and proactive in responding to their requests, and to follow-up to make sure tutoring is taking place and is effective. The Vice President will serve as a member of the Leadership Council, assist the president in planning and conducting NHS meetings, and must be available to meet with the advisor as necessary. The VP will assist the President in coordinating service activities, assist in logging applications in February, and will participate in the induction ceremony for new members in April.

SECRETARY: The secretary will assist with the planning and conducting of NHS Meetings, handle attendance, records of service hours and activity points for continued membership, correspondence with NHS members when requested or required, and assist with other NHS communications as needed. The secretary will organize publicity committees and develop and maintain media and social media visibility for the NHS with the assistance of the other officers. The secretary is expected to play a strong role in NHS service projects, serve as an active member of the Leadership Council, and will participate in logging applications for new members in September and the induction ceremony for new members in October.

Chapter Meetings

There will be Chapter meetings on a bi-weekly basis. All regular meetings are mandatory. If a student is unable to attend a meeting, they must contact the advisor prior to the meeting and collect any missed information or handouts. Unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the NHS.

Other meetings may be called by the advisor and officers as-needed.

As directed by the NHS national constitution, the chapter will conduct at least one large-group service project each year. All members are expected to willingly and cheerfully give their time and service to official Chapter service activities. Participation records will be kept by the NHS Secretary for each class.

Tutoring

Consequences

Failure to adhere to these requirements may lead to removal from Deering’s chapter of NHS. Seniors who violate these requirements will not receive recognition as being members of NHS at graduation, and colleges may be notified of revocation of membership. Except in extreme cases, members facing dismissal may appeal to the faculty council. Intent to do so must be communicated within three days of notice of dismissal. A meeting with the faculty council will be held where the student will have time to present their case. The council will rule by majority vote. If the student wishes to appeal the council decision, they can then take their case to the principal, who will provide a final ruling.

Questions/Comments
Prospective or current members with questions regarding the chapter bylaws or concerns dealing with possible violations are urged to seek the help of the NHS officers or the advisor.

Forms

For Applicants
Leadership Verification Form List of School Activities and Sports Evidence of Community Service

For Current Member
Current Member Service Hours

2024 BOA Student Leaders Jael Mowa and Isabella Figdor

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