QUINCE ORCHARD HIGH SCHOOL
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
INFORMATION PACKET
ALL MATERIALS DUE NO LATER THAN
3:00 p.m.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Name:
Grade:
Address:
Email:
ID #:
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME ON THE TAB OF THE MANILA FOLDER.
PLEASE INCLUDE A SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE.
QUINCE ORCHARD HIGH SCHOOL
15800 QUINCE ORCHARD ROAD
GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND 20878
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Admission Rules and Regulations
REMINDERS FOR CANDIDATES
Before completing this packet, please note the following:
1.
Only the students who have turned in complete information packets by the due date will be
considered for membership in the National Honor Society.
2.
A neatly prepared and legible document is most appreciated by the Faculty Council. Typing your
information is recommended.
3.
Note that in addition to having a GPA of 3.5 (weighted or unweighted), you are required to show your
leadership and service activities and to secure sponsors’ signatures and telephone numbers. Please note
that the sponsor’s signature must be on the same paper as the description of the activity; if you paste
on a typed sheet, the signature must be on the pasted typed sheet. Include ways in which you were in
charge of a project, a group or an activity in the description of your leadership activities. Please do not list
membership in a group or club as an example of leadership. The committee must be able to read about
your direct leadership role rather than participation or membership.
4.
Evaluations. Your present and past teachers will have the opportunity to evaluate your character.
They will use the following criteria:
The student of character:
 Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
 Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise,
stability)
 Upholds principles of morality and ethics
 Cooperates by complying with school regulations
 Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
 Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
 Observes instruction and rules, punctuality, and faithfulness both inside and outside the classroom
 Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to
studies
5.
6.
When listing community activities be sure to include all your accomplishments,
in groups such as church, clubs, Boy or Girl Scouts and volunteer groups.
If you have any questions, consult the sponsor. Do not leave any blanks because you were unsure of how to
proceed.
REMINDERS:
The candidate must obtain his/her official GPA from the school’s Registrar. This transcript is to be
included in the information packet.
The candidate will complete a leadership statement including all elected or appointed leadership positions
held in school, community or work activities. Only those positions in which the candidate was directly responsible
for directing or motivating others should be included, i.e. elected student body, class or club officer, committee
chairperson, team captain, newspaper editor; work area manager, or community leader.
The candidate will also include a description of service activities, in and out of school, in which the
candidate has participated for the betterment of the community. Service activities may not be activities for which
there is pay or any type of reimbursement.
The selection process will also consist of student candidate names being submitted to the entire faculty to
verify that students seeking NHS membership are of “good standing,” in terms of excellence in academics and
service, as well as on-going positive demonstrations of leadership, honesty, and character.
The faculty council will review all information about each candidate. Candidates receiving a majority vote
of the faculty council will be selected for membership.
Dismissal: Unfortunately, situations occur that lead to a consideration of and possibly actual dismissal from
the National Honor Society. Members who fall below the standards that were the basis for their selection may be
dismissed from the National Honor Society. Members need to maintain at least the 3.5 GPA. Ongoing membership
is also subject to adherence to school rules and civic laws. A suspension may lead to removal from NHS. Cheating,
plagiarism, and other academic dishonesty will lead to recommendation for dismissal. Dismissal procedures may be
initiated for members who fail to engage in on-going service projects or other chapter related activities. Also,
members who fall below the standards which were the basis for selection shall be warned in writing and given time
to correct the deficiency, except in cases of flagrant violations of school rules or civil laws. In cases such as
suspension or severe disciplinary incidents, a member may be dismissed based on a review of the issue. A student
involved in a disciplinary matter that may lead to dismissal has the right to a hearing before the faculty council. The
decision of the faculty council may be appealed to the principal according to procedures for appeals in “A Student’s
Guide to Rights and Responsibilities.”
Non-Selection: Submitting an application for membership in the NHS is not an automatic guarantee for
membership. Having only one or two areas of strength will not be sufficient for favorable consideration. The
faculty council will expect a member to have strength in all four areas of consideration. Packets will be reviewed
for appropriateness as well as for a determination that a candidate’s academics, service, leadership and character
have met the standards of the NHS. Admission is a decision of the faculty council based on the review of the packet
submitted by the student and with the input of the staff. The faculty council may speak with staff members about
the information in a student’s packet as well as confer with staff to determine a student’s appropriateness for
admittance. However, the faculty council will not attempt to discover new information or “build the case” for
admittance. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the faculty council with a packet reflecting the student’s
qualifications.
A student who is not selected may speak with the sponsor of the NHS about the non-selection decision of
the faculty council. After an initial review by the sponsor, students may appeal to the principal who will determine
if the process of non-selection was decided according to the rules and regulations of the NHS. In instances where a
procedural mistake is discovered, the faculty council may review the original information packet again. The
decision of the faculty council and the principal may be appealed according to the procedures for appeals in “A
Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities.”
Students: Prior to submitting your packet, please be sure that you and a parent(s)/guardian have read the
rules and regulations for admission. Please initial and return these pages with your packet. Your initials indicate
only that you have read and understood the packet. Please be advised that a packet without initials below will be
considered incomplete. If you have any questions about this packet, you may speak with the sponsor or the
principal.
Student initials: _____
Parent initials: ______
QUINCE ORCHARD HIGH SCHOOL CHAPTER OF
THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Student Activity Information Form
I.
II.
Administrative Information
A.
Name _____________________________________
B.
Completed service learning hours _________ (how many)
Description of activities
Directions: Please complete all sections. Do not be modest. All information will assist the faculty with the
selection process. Completion of this form does not guarantee selection, but an incomplete form will result
in disqualification.
A.
Leadership
Consider all elected or appointed positions in school, community or work activities and describe
your role in each position. Only those positions in which you were directly responsible for
others should be mentioned. The Sponsor’s signature and phone number must be included.
Please note that the sponsor’s signature must be on the same paper as the description of the
activity; if you paste on a typed sheet, the signature must be on the typed, pasted sheet.
The following guidelines will give further help in the definition of leadership. No single attribute
by itself defines leadership.
The student who exercises leadership:
 Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making
suggestions
 Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities
 Exercises influence on peers in upholding school ideals
 Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
 Is able to delegate responsibilities
 Exemplifies positive attitudes
 Inspires positive behavior in others
 Demonstrates academic initiative
 Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducting business
effectively and efficiently, and without prodding, demonstrates reliability and
dependability
 Is a forerunner in the classroom, at work, and in school or community activities
 Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.
In a clearly written word-processed statement of no more than 250 words, please explain and give actual examples
of your direct leadership involvement in up to five activities during high school. Use 12-point font. You must
secure the signatures from the sponsors or directors of the programs in which you were involved as a leader. Follow
the format of the sample provided. The signatures of your sponsors must be written on the same paper as the
description of your activity. If you have typed and pasted a description, the signature must be on the pasted
sheet of paper. Please reread the “reminders” portion of this packet to be sure that the faculty council will be
reading your statement of leadership to determine your leadership roles in activities not just your
membership in activities.
You may begin your statement with: “I believe I have demonstrated leadership in the following ways...”
STATEMENT OF LEADERSHIP.
Activity:
NAME: ____________________
Sponsor (please print): Sponsor’s Signature and e-mail address
1. ________________ _____________________
___________________________________________________
2. ________________ _____________________
___________________________________________________
3. _ _______________ _____________________
__________________________________________________
4. ________________ _____________________
__________________________________________________
5. ________________ _____________________
__________________________________________________
B.
Service
List the organizations (school or community) in which you have participated during high school.
Describe your service role in each position and include an approximate date. Include activities in
which you participated for the betterment of your school or community.
The student who serves:
 Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude
 Participates in some outside activity
 Volunteers dependable and well-organized assistance
 Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders service to the school
 Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers and students
 Active service is required. Members must complete and submit verification. Verification of 5
hours per semester of approved (in advance by the NHS sponsor) service by:
Semester 2 = middle of May.
1.
Community Service
a.
Sponsor ___________________________e-mail.________________
Sponsor’s Signature _____________________________________
b.
Sponsor ____________________________e-mail.______________
Sponsor’s Signature ___________________________________
2. School Service
a.
Sponsor ___________________________e-mail..________________
Sponsor’s Signature ___________________________________
b.
Sponsor __________________________e-mail.._________________
Sponsor’s Signature _____________________________________
c.
Sponsor ___________________________e-mail..________________
Sponsor’s Signature ____________________________________