National Honor Society

What is the National Honor Society?

Established in 1921, the National Honor Society recognizes exceptional high school students who embody four core principles: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Nationwide, over a million high school students are engaged in NHS-related activities and the society continues to uphold its prestigious legacy.

For fifty-three years, Fort Hamilton High School has empowered, championed, and recognized well-rounded students by giving them the opportunity to gain membership to the National Honor Society. Participation in this organization is a true mark of student achievement.

The Four Pillars of the NHS

Unveiled over a century ago, the National Honor Society enshrines four pillars at its heart: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. More than mere badges of honor for NHS members, these principles are transformative keys that unlock potential, enhancing every student’s educational journey, and ultimately empowering them to make profound, enduring contributions to our world.

Scholarship

Scholarship is more than a report card; it represents a dedicated commitment to lifelong The Four Pillars of NHS learning. It’s about optimizing the educational opportunities offered and pursuing knowledge within and beyond academic confines. Scholarship necessitates a consistent effort, with an aspiration to contribute positively to the world through one’s own knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Service

Service represents the choice of stepping outside oneself to meet the needs of others, fueled by an unwavering passion for a cause, heartfelt empathy for others, or driven by personal circumstances. It’s about performing selfless acts that transcend the ordinary, engendering transformative changes that resonate through our schools, ripple across our communities, and reverberate on a global scale. In the noble act of service, we sculpt a better world with our hands, our hearts, and our humanity.

Leadership

Leadership is more than a position or title; it means embodying the spirit of initiative, innovation, and influence. It’s about inspiring peers through actions, nurturing a collaborative environment, and championing positive change. Student leaders embrace the responsibility of shaping their academic community, all while fostering personal growth and development. It’s an interplay of intellect, empathy, and resilience, guiding others while continually learning and evolving.

Character

Character is the essence of who we are. It is about valuing diversity, building relationships grounded in empathy, and exhibiting qualities like perseverance, respect, integrity, and honesty. Character lies not in public acts of virtue or visible mistakes but in the consistent commitment to ethical and compassionate decision-making that positively affects both oneself and others.

Becoming a Member

A student must exemplify all four pillars in order to be inducted into the NHS. Students can apply for membership at the end of the fall semester during their junior year. Should a student need more time to meet eligibility requirements, they can also apply for membership in November of their senior year.

Junior Membership Requirements

Juniors applying to the NHS must:

- Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 90 or above.

- Participate in at least ten hours of community service prior to submitting an application. Examples of community service include (but are not limited to) park or cemetery cleanups, volunteer work done at a neighborhood organization or community center, or volunteer work done at a religious center.

- Community service must be accrued during junior year.

- Community service hours cannot be fulfilled with community service completed through an FHHS club or organization.

- Participate in at least five hours of service within Fort Hamilton High School prior to submitting an application. Examples of school service include (but are not limited to) service events hosted by Community is Key Club or American Red Cross, being a monitor for FHHS staff, or performing in FHHS shows; parades; or sporting events.

- School service hours must be accrued during junior year.

- Maintain active participation in extracurricular activities. Students applying to the NHS must consistently attend and contribute to organizations within Fort Hamilton High School. This may include (but is not limited to) JROTC, Leadership, Student Organization or Government, an athletic team, or any official FHHS club.

- Acquire two teacher recommendation letters from teachers of core courses.

- Participate in two service events hosted by the NHS prior to submitting an application

- Have no disciplinary record.

Senior Membership Requirements

Seniors applying to the NHS must:

- Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 90 or above.

- Participate in at least ten hours of community service prior to submitting an application. Examples of community service include (but are not limited to) park or cemetery cleanups, volunteer work done at a neighborhood organization community center, or volunteer work done at a religious center.

- Community service must be accrued during Junior year.

- Community service hours cannot be fulfilled with community service completed through a school organization.

- Participate in at least five hours of service within Fort Hamilton High School prior to submitting an application.. Examples of school service include (but are not limited to) service events hosted by Community is Key Club or American Red Cross, being a monitor for FHHS staff, or performing in FHHS shows; parades; or sporting events.

- School service hours must be accrued during senior year.

- Maintain active participation in extracurricular activities. Students applying to the NHS must consistently attend and contribute to organizations within Fort Hamilton High School. This may include (but is not limited to) JROTC, Leadership, Student Organization or Government, an athletic team, or any official FHHS club.

- Acquire two teacher recommendation letters from teachers of core courses.

- Participate in two service events hosted by the NHS by the end of the fall semester.

How to Prepare as a Freshman or Sophomore

Although underclassmen cannot gain membership to the NHS, they are encouraged to become active and exemplary members of the FHHS community. It is recommended that freshmen and sophomores seeking membership to NHS strive to maintain a grade point average of 90 or above, maintain excellent attendance, participate in extracurricular activities, and volunteer their service inside and outside of school.

NHS Member Requirements

Once accepted into the NHS, all members are held to the highest standards of excellence and accountability. In addition to upholding the organization’s pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and character, members of the NHS must:

- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 90 or above.

- Attend monthly general assemblies.

- Participate in four service events per semester.

- Participate in one Vocabulary Jam per semester and complete all vocabulary poster assignments.

- Tutor a peer (if assigned).

- Attend the Installation Ceremony and rehearsals.

- Abstain from cheating, plagiarism, bullying, and cyber-bullying.

- Obey all rules in the Fort Hamilton High School Student Handbook.

- Show respect for all staff and students at Fort Hamilton High School.

* Failure to uphold any of these responsibilities will result in your membership being reevaluated by the Faculty Council.

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