Welcome to: Tips for applying to MMRHS National Honor Society

Know the dates. Applications are due to Mrs Know the dates! Applications are due to Mrs. Clark in the Main office by September 12 at 3:00. If you have not already asked teachers for recommendations, do so immediately. They are busy at the beginning of the year and need time to write them. Do not wait till the last minute.

Teacher recommendations Print out the form for the teachers . Give the teachers a list of your accomplishments. Tell the teachers writing the recommendations to return them to you in a sealed envelope. Include these in your packet. Don’t forget to send a thank you note! You may be asking these same teachers to write you a college recommendation.

Service Activity hours What counts? Volunteer hours are work that you do without compensation and without being obligated to do. Examples of an obligation: If your coach requires you to work at a car wash, it is not volunteering. If you have an internship at a hospital for which you receive a grade. If you worked at a camp as a C.I.T. Examples of a Service Activity: You worked at the Crafts Fair this summer., the Color run in April, or the Relay for Life. You are a member of Give to Give, Project Sprout, or Key Club. Your local church builds houses or runs a soup kitchen that you help out in. You help out at the ASPCA because you love animals.

What counts as a Leadership Position? Elected or appointed positions in clubs, on sports teams or in community organizations. Responsibilities held in the school, community, or work activities. Positions where you were responsible for directing or motivating others should be included.

Service Activities need signatures Please contact the person who supervised you or was in charge of the club or activity you were in. If the person cannot sign the form they may email me at: vzantay@bhrsdonline.org

The application The application requires two essays: one on leadership and one on what your membership in the National Honor Society would bring to our school community. Each essay should be labeled, typed, doubled spaced and NO LONGER than one page with your name on the heading of EACH essay. Please refer to your character, leadership abilities, and service as these are the defining characteristics of an NHS student.

The Four Pillars of National Honor Society Scholarship: Scholarship is characterized by a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend the necessary time to cultivate his/ her mind in the quest for knowledge. This pillar can only be achieved through diligence and effort. Scholarship means always doing the best work possible, regardless of impending reward.

Service: The pillar of service can be reached in a variety of ways. The willingness to work for the benefit of those in need without compensation or recognition of any kind is a quality that is essential in NHS members. As a service club, the National Honor Society is highly concerned with giving its all to the school and community at large.

Leadership: Leaders take the initiative to aid others in a wholesome manner throughout their daily activities. Leaders sacrifice their personal interests in order to yield to the needs of others. Leaders need wisdom and self-confidence to affect change in all aspects of their lives. Some examples of leadership can include, but are not limited to, leading group activities in the classroom and in the community, being an officer in a club, being a primary member of the band or choir, or being the captain of a sports team.

Character: Character is what distinguishes one individual from another. It is the product of constant striving to make the right choices day after day. Students with good character demonstrate respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship in all of their actions.

Membership in the National Honor Society requires certain obligations Membership in the National Honor Society requires certain obligations. Do not apply if you feel you will not be able to meet these obligations. They include: Tutoring NHS Induction night - October 15 at 6:00 Senior Citizen musical night (with dessert bar) in March Ushering for the program of studies night in March Serving at the Graduation breakfast June 3 Volunteering a minimum of 10 hours in community events (a list is available on our website) Volunteering a minimum of 10 hours in school events (a list is available on our website)

Access to the national NHS website Applying to NHS scholarships Membership in the National Honor Society comes with certain privileges. They include: Access to the national NHS website Applying to NHS scholarships Access to college admission planning webinars, offered exclusively to NHS members and their parents/guardians.

Are you ready to apply?

Preparing your packet Return in a manila envelope with your name on the front. Neatness counts! Detail counts! Proof read your essays. Get feedback. Type your essay. Put your name at the top of all the pages. Do not staple anything. Nothing should be double sided.

How the decision is made Your completed packet is read and evaluated by members the NHS selection committee made up of at least five teachers. The committee meets , discusses and votes on admittance to the society. You will be notified by letter of your status. In the case of a denial, appeals can be made to Principal Rex.

Good luck in your application process!