National Honor Society
NHS
Opheim Selection Procedure Description
The National Honor Society chapter of Opheim is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of this prestigious national organization. Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in four areas of evaluation: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Students are selected for membership by majority vote of a five-member principal-appointed faculty council, which bestows this honor upon qualified students on behalf of the faculty of our school each May.
Students in grades 10th-12th are eligible for membership. For the scholarship criterion, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. Each spring, those students who meet this criterion are invited to complete a Candidate Form that provides the faculty council with information regarding the candidate’s leadership and service. To receive a Candidate form email or contact Mrs. Taylor (ntaylor@ohsvikings.org).
To evaluate a candidate’s character, the faculty council uses two forms of input. First, school disciplinary records are reviewed. Second, members of the faculty are solicited for input regarding their professional reflections on a candidate’s service activities, character, and leadership.
Any solicited faculty input and all Candidate Forms are carefully reviewed by the faculty council to determine membership. A majority vote of the council is necessary for selection. Candidates are notified regarding selection or non-selection according to a predetermined schedule.
Following notification, 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 four criteria that led to their selection.
Candidate forms due by April 18, 2024
Selection Notification May 2, 2024
Induction Ceremony TBD (Awards Night)
How Can You Become a Member?
For starters, you’ll need strong grades. You must be in grades 10–12 and meet the school’s eligibility requirements to be invited to join.
Eligibility Requirements
Students in grades 10–12 who meet the requirements for membership outlined by their school’s chapter are eligible to be invited for membership.
Each chapter is required to publish its qualifications for membership, which is based on the four pillars of NHS:
Scholarship
Per national guidelines, at a minimum, students must have a cumulative GPA of 85, B, 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent standard of excellence. (Each school chapter is allowed to require a higher cumulative GPA.)
Service
This involves voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation.
Leadership
Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.
Character
The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.
Students who meet the scholarship requirement will have an opportunity to complete a form detailing their accomplishments in and commitment to service, leadership, and character.
Understanding the Obligations of Membership
Students who accept membership and are inducted into the chapter should be aware of the time and commitment involved with this honor. For example, there will be chapter meetings. The chapter bylaws should articulate the yearly meeting schedule and member attendance obligations. Members also must participate in chapter and individual service projects to benefit the school and community. Contact the chapter adviser to obtain a full list of the obligations of membership for the school’s chapter.
