What is NHS?
The National Honor Society was founded in 1921 to create an organization that would recognize and encourage academic achievement while developing characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy. These ideals are scholarship, character, service, and leadership. Over eighty years later, these ideals remain relevant. Through NHS chapter service activities, members maintain and extend the qualities that won them selection. Membership is thus both an honor and a commitment.

 

The New Deal Chapter of the National Honor Society holds a general meeting for all active members every second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

Members are chosen every spring based on four criteria: scholarship, character, service, and leadership.  The student must be in his or her sophomore, junior, or senior year to be accepted.  When a student has been inducted into the NHS, they must commit themselves to 30 hours of some type of community service each school year.  And, attendance at the meetings is a requirement of every member.

The

    The student of character
        Takes critism 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,
        Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability,
        Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others,
        Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies, and
        Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness
             to profit be the mistakes of others.
    The student who serves
        Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude,
        Participates in some outside activity: scouts, church, volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged,
        Volunteers dependable and well-organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance,
        Works will with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities,
        Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition,
        Does committee and staff work without complaint, and
        Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.
    The student who exercises leadership
        Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions,
        Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities,
        Exercises 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 attitudes,
        Inspires positive behavior in others by conducting business effectively and efficiently, and without prodding, demonstrates
             reliability and dependability,
        Is a forerunner in the classroom, at work, and in school and community activities, and
        Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.