This article will guide you in creating your National Honor Society essay as well as showing you some of the NHS essay examples.
National Honor Society (NHS)
The National Honor Society (NHS) is a nationwide organization for high school students in the United States and outlying territories, which consists of many chapters in high schools. Selection is based on four criteria: scholarship (academic achievement), leadership, service, and character.
National Honor Society groups are commonly active in community service activities both in the city and at the school. Many chapters maintain a requirement for participation in such service activities.
How to apply for NHS membership
- The first thing that has to be done is checking if your school has an NHS chapter. If yes, you should check your handbook or talk directly to the chapter adviser.
Requirements to Become a Member
- Next, if you are in grades 10-12, have met requirements as presented by the school’s chapter. Then you are eligible for NHS membership. NHS application requirements are based on four organizational pillars, which are Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character.
- Scholarship part means which, at a minimum, students must have a cumulative GPA; of 85, B, 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Likewise, it can be an equivalent excellence standard. Note that your school chapter may require a higher cumulative GPA entrance grade!
- The service part stands for voluntary contributions students make to the school, local community, or charity services in which they participate in.
- The leadership part speaks of people who show excellent skills of being; resourceful, empathic, one that have good knowledge of solving conflicts without violence. Leadership qualities are taken from school community activities, group projects, volunteering at summer camps, etc.
- The character part speaks of high morals, as well as ethical qualities. One should adhere to high standards of honesty, reliability, courtesy, care, respect for others. A clean disciplinary record is a must!
Essential Things to Note as You Apply
- If you meet the scholarship requirement, you will complete form that details accomplishments, as well as a commitment to local services, a set of leadership skills, plus character traits.
- Membership has certain obligations, involves significant time commitments.
- There will be a chapter and yearly meeting schedule with specific responsibilities.
- Even a well-written NHS paper cannot guarantee 100% acceptance as your character, as well as unique achievements.
- If you have teachers or any other recommendation, include it.
- However, the influential paper will be good for your particular candidacy, meaning which should be unique & well-structured.
National Honor Society Pillars
The national honor society has four monoliths. This is making them critical ingredients for anyone with the desire to be an NHS member. These pillars include:
- Leadership
- Scholarships
- Service Delivery
- Behavior
Leadership and scholarship go in hand. Anyone with the desire to be an NHS member must be a sterling academic scholar and show darling leadership prowess both in the community and within the school.
Service delivery and behavior are also intimately related because for one to provide satisfactory service to the community and the school one’s action should not be in question.
1. Leadership
Leadership is a critical hallmark to have, whether in school or the community. In school, one can be a leader in many ways because of the many diverse leadership position roles.
The Student governing council provides one with the ability to interact with many students. Also, get exposed to the challenges facing students and find a problem-solving technique.
There are also many existing clubs in the school. I am the current chairperson of the agriculture club in our school.
The challenges and solutions I get daily have equipped my leadership capabilities so far. If I am admitted as an NHS member, I will further gain more skills to catapult the Agriculture Club achievements and personally advance my leadership skills.
2. Scholarships
A scholarship is another bone of contention. It is awkward to showcase incredible leadership abilities while getting dismal academic grades in school. A balance between Scholarship and Leadership must then be put in place to ensure that an accomplished outcome is attained.
I always endeavor to be a good scholar and to achieve remarkable leadership prowess. National Honor Society takes a keen interest in these two qualities. This is to ensure that not only a brilliant leader is selected but also an excellent scholar.
I know that it’s challenging to maintain a balance between the two, but with persistent efforts and commitment, nothing is far from achieving. It is a sad moment when a student has excellent leadership skills but struggles with academic grades.
The community and the school develop stereotypes towards a good leader with damning academic results. Hence, for the student in question, leadership prowess is mocked and never taken seriously.
3. Service Delivery
Service delivery is equally a critical hallmark. The community and the school should benefit from an individual with a passion for giving voluntary and exemplary service. Being the chairperson of the Agriculture club in our school has seen me provide an advisory role to the community and school on how to take care of; crops, environment, Agronomy, and how to maximize the use of the varying climate.
As an Agriculture club, we are frequently involved in giving back to the community through some of our services. We advise them on the best planting practices, the recommended crops to plant, and how to be good observers of the climate efficiently.
This helps the community to be prepared in advance and to avoid any unexpected harmful climate catch-up. The school has also benefitted a lot from our services with better water harvesting techniques, proper drainage methods, and increased yields from our school plantations.
We’ve achieved this by putting into practice what we have learned from the class. Joining the NHS will help me further transform my community and school. That is by continuing with the excellent work and applying what I’ve gained from the National Honor Society.
4. Behavior
Lastly, behavior sums up the four hallmarks of NHS criteria. It is useless to be a good scholar, leader, and showcase exemplary service delivery only to disgust it with bad behavior. Character is essential if you want the community and school to take you seriously and adore you.
The competition was stiff because out of the many contestants, I was chosen. This was because many other contestants were good academically, excellent leadership skills, and excellent service delivery but lacked good character traits. I had all the credentials required in the race. Good character traits complement all the three hallmarks mentioned above.
It potentiates good grades, yields excellent leadership skills, and promotes desired service delivery. If I join the NHS, I believe it will further increase my passion for showcasing and maintaining my great character.
NHS Essay Examples
This is only an example and should not be seen as perfect or flawless. What makes NHS paper good is personal input and a clear writing structure. What you will read below is one of many NHS essay examples, sum up all good factors that one of our expert writers came up with!
Example 1
I feel deeply honored to apply for National Honor Society membership. As I was chosen a candidate that could truly bring positive changes for society, I worked hard to be worthy of trust that my teachers have placed in me. A determined, caring, sensitive, and motivated person, – I found my passion in reading and sharing knowledge with younger students.]
I believe that books isa key to a better education in national society. I sincerely believe that as I become a member, I can promote value of books to people of all ages and participate in community work that allows everyone to enjoy wonderful art of reading.
No matter what service and community work I do, I always place my academic achievements first because people always learn by good examples they can follow. I realize that every challenge takes much effort and time, but where goal is set right, there is a way.
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