The National Honor Society
Freeport Chapter
"The purpose of the Freeport Chapter of the National Honor Society is to create enthusiasm
for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to
develop character in the students of Freeport Area Senior High School."
NHS Candidate: _________________________________________________________
1st Period Rm #: __________
Please carefully read the following information regarding the selection and admission process into the Freeport Chapter
of the National Honor Society.
Congratulations! Because you have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.80 or higher since ninth grade
and have taken or are presently enrolled in at least one honors course, you are eligible to be considered for membership
in the Freeport Chapter of the National Honor Society. However, NHS membership is a privilege, not a right, and your
academic excellence alone is not sufficient justification for membership. The National Honor Society’s criterion requires
the demonstration of excellent scholarship, outstanding leadership, sterling character, and selfless service to others. It
should be noted that successful candidates must have at least 30 service hours to apply. Without signed
documentation of at least 30 hours of service, your application will not be considered.
In order to determine if you meet all of the qualifications for membership, an anonymous survey will be sent to all FHS
faculty members where you will be given a score for various categories related to character and moral standing. Then, a
five-member Faculty Review Committee will meet in March to review the information from the survey and the
information you provide on the attached forms along with four (4) essays and all of your attendance and discipline
records. You will then receive a letter in the mail informing you of their decision. An induction ceremony will be held in
April for all new members. (Tentative Date: April 28rd at 7:00 PM in the HS Auditorium).
Instructions for Completion:
Pages 2-4 of this packet must be TYPED and then printed along with all four (4) of your essays. This form may be
accessed at Ms. Veights’ teacher page on the high school’s website.
This information will be reviewed only by the NHS Faculty Review Committee and the National Honor Society Advisor.
You must return your completed forms, including all references, to Ms. Veights in room 79 on or before Friday, March
4th. Late forms will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS.
The last two (2) pages are for character references. All references must be completed by adults who know you well.
These references must be completed by an adult who is not affiliated with the high school such as an outside coach,
sponsor, employer, community leader, or church official (parents and relatives excluded). Please ask these people to
return their completed forms to Ms. Veights in a sealed envelope either through you or in the mail by the deadline
specified above. Please remember that late or inadequately completed forms will disqualify your application packet.
Please do not wait until the last minute to have these forms completed. Be responsible and give the individuals you
have chosen an ample amount of time to fill out your reference form. If at any time you have questions or concerns,
please see Ms. Veights in Room 78 or email her at veights@freeport.k12.pa.us.
If you are not interested in being considered for the National Honor Society at this time, please sign below and return
this packet to Ms. Veights in Room 78 by Friday, March 4th, 2016.
______________________________________________________________
(Student Signature)
_________________
(Date)
Part One: Candidate Leadership Profile
Please type this form. DO NOT BE MODEST. The information you provide will be used by the NHS Faculty Review
Committee to assist with the selection process. Completion of this form does not guarantee selection.
Leadership can include the following:
a) Taking a constructive lead in school, community, and/or church activities
b) Being a positive influence on others that you are caring for/in charge of
c) Successfully holding offices or positions of responsibility
Extra-Curricular Activities (High School Activities such as Clubs/Organizations/Sports)
Type an “X” for Each Year
Activity/Organization
9
10 11 12
Offices or Leadership
Positions Held
Signature of
Advisor/Coach/Sponsor
Outside Activities (Out-of-School Activities such as Church Involvement or Employment)
Type an “X” for Each Year
Activity/Organization
9
10 11 12
Offices or Leadership
Positions Held
Signature of
Advisor/Coach/Sponsor
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Part Two: Candidate Service Profile
Please type this form. DO NOT BE MODEST. The information you provide will be used by the NHS Faculty Review
Committee to assist with the selection process. Completion of this form does not guarantee selection. In order to even
qualify for the Freeport Chapter of the National Honor Society, you must have AT LEAST 30 HOURS of documented
service. Documentation can include a sponsor signature or a copy of a certificate of completion/participation in a
service related activity.
Service can include the following:
a) Serving others first before your own self-interest
b) Volunteering your time/talent willingly to perform an UNPAID service
c) Participating in voluntary activities at school, home, the community, or your church
Type an “X” for Each Year
Activity/Organization/Church/
Service Group
9
10
11
12
Total
Hours of
Service
Type of Service Provided
Signature of
Advisor/Coach/Sponsor
If for any reason you have NOT been able to participate in voluntary service activities, please explain and be specific:
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Part Three: Essays
Membership in the National Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a high school student
here at Freeport. However, as the old saying goes, “With great power (honor), comes even greater responsibility.” In
order for your application to be considered, you must write four (4) essays, each of which will outline your thoughts on
the four (4) pillars of the NHS: scholarship, leadership, service and character. Follow the prompts below and please
keep your responses to UNDER 250 WORDS EACH. Do not restrict yourself to just the prompt questions as these are
simply a guide for you. Please feel free to expand your response as necessary. You must type these essays on four (4)
different sheets of paper and they must be 11 point font and double spaced. Please print the essays and attach them to
your final application packet. Failure to complete these essays or follow the specific essay requirements will disqualify
your candidacy. Please keep in mind that these essays will be read by the NHS Faculty Review Committee.
1) Scholarship. Define scholarship. Why do you believe that excellence in scholarship is one of the four
pillars of NHS? What does maintaining a high GPA mean to you? How have you been able to maintain a
high level of academic achievement throughout your high school career?
2) Leadership. Define leadership. Why do you believe that model leadership is one of the four pillars of
NHS? What kind of characteristics does a good leader have? How does a good leader endure hardship
or find resolutions for a conflict?
3) Service. Define service. Why do you believe that volunteering/rendering service is one of the four
pillars of NHS? How do you think service can improve a school or community?
4) Character. Define character. Why do you believe that having outstanding character is one of the four
pillars of NHS? What are some qualities of individuals with good character? If you had to evaluate
someone’s character, what criteria would you use to do so?
Part Four: Character Reference Forms
The following two (2) pages are the character reference forms mentioned earlier in this packet. All references must be
completed by adults who know you well. These references must be completed by an adult who is not affiliated with the
high school such as outside coach, sponsor, employer, community leader, or church official (parents and relatives
excluded). Please ask these people to return their completed forms to Ms. Veights in a sealed envelope either through
you or in the mail by the deadline (March 4th). Please remember that late or inadequately completed forms will
disqualify your application packet. Please do not wait until the last minute to have these forms completed. Be
responsible and give the individuals you have chosen an ample amount of time to fill out your reference form.
Character Reference #1
Character Reference #2
First and Last Name
First and Last Name
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NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY CHARACTER REFERENCE FOR __________________________________________
(Student’s Name)
You have been asked to complete this form by a student who is eligible for consideration for membership in the Freeport
Chapter of the National Honor Society. The NHS Faculty Review Committee will meet in March to determine if the
student has met the four (4) qualifications of the NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Your responses
will aid this committee in determining whether or not the student is eligible for the National Honor Society on the basis
of his or her character. Your judgments should be free of hearsay and rumor and based on your own observations.
Thank you in advance for your careful consideration of this student.
Please indicate your response by giving the student a score of either: 0 (Very Poor) to 4 (Excellent) in each of the
following areas:
1. Demonstrates the highest standards of:
Score
Comments on Each
a. Honesty
_______
_______________________________________________
b. Fairness
_______
_______________________________________________
c. Initiative
_______
_______________________________________________
d. Citizenship
_______
_______________________________________________
2. Uses courtesy and respect toward others
_______
_______________________________________________
3. Accepts, meets & exceeds responsibilities
_______
_______________________________________________
4. Complies with rules/regulations
_______
_______________________________________________
5. Shows maturity in dealing with criticism
_______
_______________________________________________
6. Shows maturity in dealing with peer pressure _______
_______________________________________________
7. Exhibits a positive role model for others
_______
_______________________________________________
8. Upholds principles of morality and ethics
_______
_______________________________________________
_______
Please sign below that you verify your score. Thank you.
Total (Out of 44)
______________________________________________________________
(Signature)
__________
(Date)
How long have you known this student and in what capacity?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
You may include any other important comments:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please return your completed form to Ms. Samantha Veights on or before Friday, March 4, 2016.
You can return this form with the student in a sealed envelope or mail it to:
Freeport Senior High School, ATTN: NHS, 625 South Pike Road, Sarver, PA 16055
You may also scan a copy and email it directly to Ms. Veights using the following email address: veights@freeport.k12.pa.us
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NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY CHARACTER REFERENCE FOR __________________________________________
(Student’s Name)
You have been asked to complete this form by a student who is eligible for consideration for membership in the Freeport
Chapter of the National Honor Society. The NHS Faculty Review Committee will meet in March to determine if the
student has met the four (4) qualifications of the NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Your responses
will aid this committee in determining whether or not the student is eligible for the National Honor Society on the basis
of his or her character. Your judgments should be free of hearsay and rumor and based on your own observations.
Thank you in advance for your careful consideration of this student.
Please indicate your response by giving the student a score of either: 0 (Very Poor) to 4 (Excellent) in each of the
following areas:
1. Demonstrates the highest standards of:
Score
Comments on Each
a. Honesty
_______
_______________________________________________
b. Fairness
_______
_______________________________________________
c. Initiative
_______
_______________________________________________
d. Citizenship
_______
_______________________________________________
2. Uses courtesy and respect toward others
_______
_______________________________________________
3. Accepts, meets & exceeds responsibilities
_______
_______________________________________________
4. Complies with rules/regulations
_______
_______________________________________________
5. Shows maturity in dealing with criticism
_______
_______________________________________________
6. Shows maturity in dealing with peer pressure _______
_______________________________________________
7. Exhibits a positive role model for others
_______
_______________________________________________
8. Upholds principles of morality and ethics
_______
_______________________________________________
_______
Please sign below that you verify your score. Thank you.
Total (Out of 44)
______________________________________________________________
(Signature)
__________
(Date)
How long have you known this student and in what capacity?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
You may include any other important comments:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please return your completed form to Ms. Veights on or before Friday, March 4, 2016.
You can return this form with the student in a sealed envelope or mail it to:
Freeport Senior High School, ATTN: NHS, 625 South Pike Road, Sarver, PA 16055
You may also scan a copy and email it directly to Ms. Veights using the following email address: veights@freeport.k12.pa.us
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