NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Advisor: Talya Sirianni

Induction Ceremony: Monday, May 22, 2023

The purpose of the National Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership and to develop character in the secondary school student. Membership in the School of the Arts National Honor Society is an honor bestowed upon selected members of the junior and senior classes. Selection is determined by the NHS Faculty Council and is based on outstanding scholarship, leadership, service and character. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities.

Criteria for Membership and Selection Process

In the fall of each school year, the advisors will identify any junior students (and seniors not already in NHS) who meet the minimum GPA requirement. This is a 3.50 out of a 4.50 scale (unweighted GPA). Those students will then be invited to apply to NHS. Prospective candidates are required to submit an application, resume, two letters of recommendation, and a 500 word personal essay. Once the documents are received, they are given to a Faculty Council, comprised of SOTA teachers, to review. Students who have a complete application and are approved by the council will be invited to participate in the Induction Ceremony.

The Induction Ceremony is traditionally held on the Monday before Thanksgiving. Election in the NHS is a life-long honor. High school members should fully understand that dismissal could occur if they do not maintain the standards for scholarship, leadership, service and character. After induction, all members are required to provide a form of community service that will benefit School of the Arts and / or the community.

Procedure for Continuing Membership

In the fall, current NHS members are reviewed based the criteria of NHS membership. The requirements of scholarship, service, character and leadership for continuing membership are clearly defined. In September, the NHS advisor(s) review these four requirements for each member including final grades from June, service requirement, attendance and disciplinary records from the past year. If necessary, letters of warning will be sent out for the member to correct his/her grade point average or any behavior that may jeopardize membership. The deadline to correct any problems is the end the first marking period. If the warnings are not met, the student's name will be forwarded to the NHS Faculty Council to determine whether membership should be revoked. Such a vote includes an appeal process. The SOTA Chapter operates according to the guidelines of the Constitution of the NHS as set out in the NHS Handbook. We are happy to respond to any questions or concerns regarding NHS membership.

For more information, please contact the NHS Advisor:

Ms. Sirianni