NHS Selection Procedure at Duanesburg Central School

The National Honor Society chapter of Duanesburg Central 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. Students are selected for membership by majority vote of a 5-member Faculty Council which bestows this honor upon qualified students on behalf of the faculty of our school each year.  The chapter adviser, Lisa Della Rocco, is also appointed by the principal and facilitates all selection procedures and chapter activities during the year.

Students are eligible for membership at the end of their sophomore year. For the scholarship criterion, a student must have a cumulative GPA of an 88 or better.  Those students who meet this criterion are given an eligibility letter (after quarter 2) and if interested, are invited to complete an application 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. It is recommended that the applicant participates in at least one school organization and has at least 20 documented hours of community service.  

To evaluate a candidate’s character, the Faculty Council obtains additional professional input. First, official school disciplinary records are reviewed. Second, members of the faculty are requested to provide their professional reflections on a candidate’s character and citizenship as witnessed in and out of the classroom. The Candidate applications are carefully reviewed by the Faculty Council to determine whether each candidate meets the criteria for membership.  A majority vote of the Council is necessary for selection.  Following a review of the results of the Faculty Council voting by the principal, candidates are notified regarding selection or non-selection. 

Once the notification process is completed, a formal induction ceremony is held at the school to recognize all the newly selected members.  Once inducted, new members are required to maintain the same level of performance (or better) in all criteria that led to their selection.  This obligation includes maintaining the 88 cumulative average, regular attendance at monthly chapter meetings, and participation in the chapter service projects. Students or parents who have questions regarding the selection process or membership obligations can contact the chapter adviser, Lisa Della Rocco, at ldellarocco@duanesburg.org.

Leadership

Required on your application:

List no more than 5 elected or appointed leadership positions held in school, community, or work activities DURING grades 9-12. Only those positions in which you were directly responsible for directing or motivating others should be included.  For example: elected student body, class, or club officer, committee chairperson, newspaper editor, work area manager, or community leader.

The student who exercises leadership:

  • Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school.
  • Exemplifies positive attitudes.
  • Inspires positive behavior in others.
  • Demonstrates academic initiative.
  • Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducting business efficiently and  effectively, and is reliable and dependable without prodding.
  • Demonstrates leadership in the classroom, at work, and in school activities.
  • Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.

Service

Required on your application:

****Service Activities (scored on this) – List up to 5 activities in which you have participated DURING GRADES 9-12.  These can be service projects done with a group either in or outside of school, or done as individual projects performing service.  Generally speaking, service activities are those done for, or on behalf of, others (not including immediate family members) for which no compensation (monetary or other) has been given.  DETAIL WHAT YOU DID DURING THE ACTIVITY.  You must submit a letter of verification from the adult supervisor of each activity listed when you submit your application.  See form at the end of application.

The student who serves:

  • Participates in some outside activity:  Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts; church groups; volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged; family duties.
  • Volunteers dependable and well-organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance.
  • Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities.
  • Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

Character

Required on your application:

You will be required to write an essay as part of your application using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.

The student of character:

  • Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.
  • Constantly exemplifies desirable qualities of personality (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability).
  • Upholds principles of morality and ethics.
  • Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
  • Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability.
  • Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others both inside and outside of the classroom.
  • Observes instructions and rules, punctuality and faithfulness.