National Honor Society (NHS) is an organization to recognize junior and senior students who have outstanding academic achievements and provide service to their school. Currently there are 29 seniors and 26 juniors in Milton’s chapter of NHS.
According to NHS Advisor and English Teacher Ms. Angela Ranck, there are many requirements to get into NHS. To be invited to apply for membership, students must have at least a 95 percent cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the end of their sophomore year.
Completed applications are scored by a panel using a rubric created by NHS, said Ms. Ranck. She added that the panel, made up of teachers from each subject, looks for involvement in athletics, service and clubs.
During a candlelit induction ceremony in November, senior NHS students and alumni give speeches to the new members, said Ms. Ranck. After everyone is pledged in, there is a reception for everyone to celebrate, she added.
According to Ms. Ranck, to remain in good standing, members must keep their cumulative GPA above a 95 percent and not have any discipline issues inside or outside of school. They also must complete at least 10 service hours a year. In addition, senior members must attend the induction ceremony and help induct junior members, she added.
“National Honor Society is not very difficult to be in. It just requires a little bit of a time commitment and a little discipline to make sure you keep your grades up,” said NHS President Senior Ryan Bickhart.
NHS students can take one “Honor Day” a marking period for each five hours of service they complete, adding up to four Honor Days a year if they complete 20 hours of service, said Ms. Ranck. An Honor Day allows members to be off school without counting toward their attendance record, she added.
Ms. Ranck said that some goals of NHS are to make their applications, worksheets and documents available digitally and to contribute more to the community. She added that she hopes to give the senior with the most service hours a scholarship, possibly as soon as next year.
Ryan said his favorite part of NHS is getting involved with the community and helping better the community with service projects.
Ms. Ranck added that currently NHS members are preparing to finish their required service hours through volunteering for events such as picking up litter in town, field days and “move it up” days for the middle and elementary schools.
