NHS Selection Process
by Brian Rottinghaus
February 26, 2009
National Honor Society Selection Process for Axtell High School
The National Honor Society Handbook stipulates that each year the selection and retention process of school NHS members be published for review by school patrons. The information below outlines this process for Axtell High School.
The National Honor Society chapter of Axtell High School is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of the National Honor Society. Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in four areas of evaluation: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Standards for selection are established by the national office of NHS and have been revised to meet our local chapter needs. Students are selected to be members by a 5-member Faculty Council, appointed by the principal, which bestows this honor upon qualified students on behalf of the faculty of our school each Spring.
Students in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades are eligible for membership. For the scholarship criterion, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or better on a 4.0 scale. Those students who meet this criterion are each personally given a copy of the Student Activity Information Form that provides the Faculty Council with information regarding the candidate’s leadership and service. A history of leadership experiences and participation in school or community service is also required.
To evaluate a candidate’s character, the Faculty Council uses two forms of input. First, school disciplinary records held by the principal are reviewed. Second, members of the faculty are solicited by council members for input regarding their professional reflections on a candidate’s service activities, character, and leadership. This information and the Student Activity Information Forms are carefully reviewed by the Faculty Council to determine membership. A majority vote of the Council is necessary for selection. Candidates are notified by the principal regarding selection or non-selection according to a predetermined schedule.
Following notification, a formal induction ceremony is conducted at the Spring Axtell awards ceremony to recognize all the newly selected members. Once inducted, new members are required to maintain the same level of performance or better in all four criteria that led to their selection. This obligation includes regular attendance at periodic chapter meetings held during the school year, and participation in the chapter service projects(s). Additionally, members are required to perform and document 12 hours of community service and maintain a 3.4 GPA each school year to retain membership. Students or parents who have questions regarding the selection process or membership obligations can contact the chapter adviser, Cindy Kaster or principal Brian Rottinghaus by phone at 785-736-2237.
