National Honor Society

  • Emma Ruckle

    It shall be the duty of the president to attend and preside at the meetings of the chapter and executive committee and serve as the official representative of the chapter at school and community functions. Other duties include preparing the agenda for meetings, plans and implementation of fundraisers.

  • Sara Scott

    The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president, oversee the work of any committees, plan and produce the end-of-the-year event for members and or the school, and assist the adviser in all leadership projects.

  • Nora Stevens

    The secretary shall attend all executive committee meetings and chapter meetings, assist the service officer with volunteer hour record keeping, keep the minutes and attendance records for meetings, and be responsible for all official correspondence.

  •  Savanna Jackson

    The service officer shall attend all executive committee meetings, coordinate large chapter-wide service activities, research and recommend service activities for the chapter, work with the secretary to record member service hours, track individual service projects, publicize chapter activities on the school website, coordinate publicity of activities with the school newspaper

  • Otto Del Toro

    The pastor shall attend all executive committee meetings, be a spiritual leader on campus, schedule and coordinate spiritual activities with the service officer and lead out in worship during events.

  • Highland Academy takes the process for the National Honor Society seriously. There are four pillars the National Honor Society represents and students selected for National Honor Society must reflect these pillars prior to being selected.

    The first pillar is scholarship. Students who maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA prior to the selection process will be invited to begin the process for selection. These students’ academic records will be reviewed by the registrar and the National Honor Society Adviser to determine scholastic eligibility.

    Students who are eligible scholastically will be notified by letter explaining that for further consideration for selection to the Highland Academy NHS Chapter, they may complete the Student Activity Information Form and write a letter to the faculty council explaining how they demonstrate the other three pillars.

    The second pillar is that of leadership. To meet the leadership criterion for NHS, a student must name three (3) leadership roles at school or in the community achieved since the ninth grade and indicate the roles and the name of the adult who supervised each of these activities. Leadership consists of positions that students have elected to be involved in or appointed to within their school, community, church or in their work activities. Positions in which the student was directly responsible for directing or motivating others should be included. These could include offices held, but it does not exclude leadership such as teacher assistant, lead worker, work supervisor or other such positions. One may also demonstrate leadership by demonstrating initiative in promoting school activities and exercising a positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals and spirit, contributing ideas that improve the civic life of the school, and demonstrating an ability to delegate responsibilities, such as in group assignments, or is dependable in any responsibility accepted.

    The third pillar is that of service. Service is generally considered to be those actions undertaken by the student that are done with or on behalf of others without any direct financial or material compensation. In considering service, the contributions each candidate has made to the school and community can be reviewed. To be selected as a member of our chapter, a candidate must demonstrate a spirit of service since his or her ninth-grade year, such as helping others with their homework, assisting staff with responsibilities such as cleaning up after everyone leaves or volunteering to help with the extra work that big weekends on campus require. Service can also include serving at home in their own communities or with their church groups.

    The fourth and final pillar is that of character. A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. A candidate will be able to demonstrate an outstanding record of conduct and behavior with regard to school and community rules, guidelines, and policies or be able to demonstrate sufficient growth and improvement to compensate for previous inadequacies. These include but are not limited to consistently exemplifying positive and desirable qualities of behavior such as cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, and stability. The candidate is cooperative and adheres to all school policies and regulations and codes of student conduct, takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously, and demonstrates the highest standards of honesty, academic integrity and reliability. The candidate is courteous and exhibits concern and respect for others.

    The Student Activity Information Form and letter from the candidate will be reviewed by the faculty council along with other verifiable information about each candidate. If needed, candidates may be interviewed personally by the faculty council.

    Candidates receiving a majority vote of the faculty council will be inducted into the Highland Academy Chapter of the National Honor Society.

     

     

    Obligation of Members

    The national constitution defines several obligations for members. First, all members are to maintain the standards by which they were selected (i.e., continued performance at or above the required GPA, involvement in service and leadership projects, maintaining the highest level of character, etc.). In addition, the constitution expects members to attend meetings if called for and to participate in both individual and chapter service projects during the year.

  • ARTICLE I: NAME

    The name of this chapter shall be the Highland Chapter of the National Honor Society of Highland Academy.

    ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

    The purpose of this chapter shall be to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in students of Highland Academy.

    ARTICLE III: POWERS

    Section 1: This chapter operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the National Constitution of NHS. See www.nhs.us/constitutions. In addition, this chapter will maintain active affiliation with the national organization on an annual basis.

    Section 2: This chapter will remain an active member of the state association, Tennessee Honor Society group by paying annual dues and participating in state functions when possible.

    Section 3. The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.

    Section 4: Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the school principal.

    Section 5: Nondiscrimination. Our chapter of NHS maintains policies and practices that are designed to prevent discrimination against any qualified candidate or member on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability. This policy of nondiscrimination applies to all practices, including the chapter administration and the selection, discipline, and dismissal of members.

    ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

    Section 1. Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the faculty and shall be based on the criteria of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

    Section 2. Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and alumni. Active members become alumni members at graduation. Alumni and honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.

    Section 3. Eligibility:

    a. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class.

    b. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at Highland Academy.

    c. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

    d. Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character (and citizenship for NJHS.)

    ARTICLE V: SELECTION OF MEMBERS

    Section 1. The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the faculty council which consists of five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, nonvoting, ex officio member of the faculty council.

    Section 2. The selection of active members shall be held once a year during the second semester of the school year. If a student is already a member from another school and meets the Highland membership requirements within a semester of arriving, his or her membership will be accepted within that time frame.

    Section 3. Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:

    a. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.

    b. All students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., candidates) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the candidate information form and a letter outlining how they meet the expectations of the four pillars for further consideration.

    c. The faculty shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official input form provided by the chapter adviser.

    d. The faculty council shall review the candidate information forms, faculty input, student letters, and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership. If the council is still unsure of a student’s edibility and believes an interview would be helpful in the final determination, they may do so.

    Section 4. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.

    Section 5. An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given an official letter indicating the status of his/her membership upon request.

    Section 6. An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter within his or her first semester here. The faculty council shall grant to the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements and, thereafter, this member must maintain those requirements for this chapter in order to retain his/her membership.

    ARTICLE VI: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

    Section 1. Annual dues for this chapter shall be $20.00. Dues will be payable to the chapter within 30 days of induction.

    Section 2. Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society.

    Section 3. Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter.

    Section 4. Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the pin of the National Honor Society emblem at graduation.

    Section 5. Chapter members of this chapter are responsible for maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA and for maintaining the other three pillars as specified by the National Honor Society (i.e., leadership, character, and service), making sure to attain the required quarterly service hours specified by the officers each year.

    ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

    Section 1. The officers of the Highland Academy chapter shall be the president, vice president, secretary, service officer, publicity coordinator, and pastor.

    Section 2. Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of each school year. All returning members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer. Any active member can nominate an eligible member as a candidate for office.

    Section 3. Voting shall be by secret ballot. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter. If the first vote does not yield a majority, a second vote shall be taken of the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.

    Section 4. It shall be the duty of the president to attend and preside at the meetings of the chapter and executive committee and serve as the official representative of the chapter at school and community functions. Other duties include preparing the agenda for meetings, plans and implementation of fundraisers.

    Section 5. The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president, oversee the work of any committees, plan and produce the end-of-the-year event for members and or the school, and assist the adviser in all leadership projects.

    Section 6. The secretary shall attend all executive committee meetings and chapter meetings, assist the service officer with volunteer hour record keeping, keep the minutes and attendance records for meetings, and be responsible for all official correspondence.

    Section 7. The service officer shall attend all executive committee meetings, coordinate large chapter-wide service activities, research and recommend service activities for the chapter, work with the secretary to record member service hours, track individual service projects, publicize chapter activities on the school website, coordinate publicity of activities with the school newspaper

    Section 8. The pastor shall attend all executive committee meetings, be a spiritual leader on campus, schedule and coordinate spiritual activities with the service officer and lead out in worship during events.

    Section 9. If an officer is relieved of his or her responsibilities, the members of the chapter will reconvene to nominate and vote on a replacement to fill the office and fulfill the role of the vacant office. The new officer will then be published.

    Section 10. An officer can be relieved of their office and responsibilities if that person is suspended from school for any period of time.

    Section 11. Officers and the faculty adviser(s) shall collectively be known as the chapter’s executive committee. The executive committee shall establish annual goals for the chapter and have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter, but any action by the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.

    ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

    Section 1. Regular meetings of this chapter shall be held bi-weekly.Special meetings can be called by the president with approval of the adviser.

    Section 2. This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

    Section 3. Members are expected to attend all chapter meetings.

    ARTICLE IX: ACTIVITIES

    Section 1. The chapter’s officers shall vote on how many service project hours member are required to participate in throughout the school year.

    Section 2. The chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each year.

    Section 3. All members shall regularly participate in these projects.

    Section 4. These projects shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or community; have the support of the administration and the faculty; be appropriate and educationally defensible; and be well planned, organized, and executed.

    Section 5. Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an individual service project which reflects his or her particular talents and interests and as approved by the chapter adviser. This is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute.

    Section 6. The chapter shall publicize and promote its projects in a positive manner.

    ARTICLE X: DISCIPLINE and DISMISSAL of MEMBERS

    Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, service, leadership, or character may be considered for discipline or dismissal from the Highland Academy chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership to his/her school and community.

    Section 2. If a member’s cumulative grade point average falls below the standard in effect when he/she was selected of 3.0, he /she will be given a written warning and a reasonable time period for improvement. If the cumulative grade point average remains below standard at the end of the warning period, the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the faculty council, which includes consideration of dismissal from the chapter.

    Section 3. Violations of the law or school regulations can result in immediate consideration of the dismissal of a member (see Section 5 below). These violations include, but are not limited to DWI, stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities or in the community.

    Section 4. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive a written warning notification. A conference may be requested by either party (faculty council or student/parent). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be considered for dismissal.

    Section 5. Chapter officers, as representatives of the chapter, can be removed from their positions as a consequence of disciplinary action taken by the faculty council.

    Section 6. In all cases of pending dismissal:

    a. The member will receive written notification from the adviser/faculty council indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.

    b. The member has the right to respond to the charge(s) against him/her at a hearing before the faculty council prior to any vote on dismissal (in accordance with due process identified in Article X of the National Constitution). The member has the opportunity to present his/her defense either in person or via a written statement presented in lieu of the face-to-face hearing. Following the hearing, the faculty council will then vote on whether to dismiss. A majority vote of the faculty council is needed to dismiss any member.

    c. The results of the faculty council vote will be presented to the principal for review and then stated in a letter sent to the student and parents. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the adviser.

    d. The faculty council’s decision may be appealed to the building principal and afterward according to provisions of the school district discipline policies.

    e. A member who is dismissed or resigns may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society.

    Section 7. In lieu of dismissal, the faculty council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.

    ARTICLE XI: RATIFICATION, APPROVAL, and REVIEW.

    Section 1: These bylaws will be approved upon receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote of all active members of the chapter, a majority affirmative vote of the faculty council, and approval by the administration.

    Section 2: These bylaws shall be reviewed and if necessary, revised within five years from the date of approval noted on this document.

    ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

    These bylaws may be amended by two-thirds of the chapter, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given to members at least one month prior to the vote. The exceptions are Articles IV, V, and X, which are developed by the faculty council with the approval of the principal.

    Approved on [Insert date]: (Indicate date of last approved revisions)

    Signatures/Names of the Chapter President, Secretary, Adviser, and Principal.