AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
OPTIONS SCHOOL CHAPTER
You have chosen to make application to the National Honor Society (NHS), Options School Chapter.
If selected you will become a member of national service organization whose goal it is to better the
community and the nation. Membership in the National Honor Society is one of the highest honors
that can be awarded to a high school student, and those selected have demonstrated a high level of
scholarship, leadership, character, and concern for others as reflected in their commitment to
serving their community.
In order to be considered for membership in the Options Chapter of NHS, students must meet the
following requirements:
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The student must be enrolled in the Options Program and be classified as a 10th, 11th, or 12
grade student.
The student must have an unweighted cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher in
all his/her classes (home school, transferred classes from another high school, PSEO/Fast
Track, Options courses, online courses, etc.)
The student must submit, with the attached application, a transcript that summarizes all
high school coursework and shall include:
a. Every high school course taken
b. Where and when it was taken
c. The grade that was earned
d. The credit that was earned
There must be documentation of positive leadership, service to others, and strength of
character as summarized on the attached application.
The student must submit two letters of recommendation one of which must be from a
current teacher or a past high school class teacher. The letters of recommendation must
address the student’s scholarship, leadership, service to others, and character. Please ask
your recommender to include their personal knowledge of those qualities/traits. Please noteshort and superficial letters of recommendation usually hurt a candidate. Choose your
writers carefully!
The student must complete one essay on a topic to be identified in this application.
The student must complete a formal interview with the NHS faculty sponsor, David
Manchak. Applicants must contact Mr. Manchak (303-915-6785) by end of January (check
for specific deadline/cutoff date each year) to set up the interview. All interviews must be
completed by mid February (check for specific deadline/cutoff date each year).
Please complete the NHS application and submit all parts of it together in one packet. Letter of
recommendation writers can send their letters in separately. Mail the completed application to:
Options School c/o David Manchak, 11351 E. Montview Blvd. Aurora, Co. 80010
All applications should be postmarked by mid February (check for specific deadline/cutoff date each
year). No late or incomplete applications will be considered.
Completed applications will be screened by a Faculty Council and students will be notified of their
status relative to their acceptance into the National Honor Society. A formal NHS Induction
Ceremony will be held in March (check for date each year) at a place and time to be announced.
If you have any questions about the NHS or the application process, please contact the Options NHS
sponsor, David Manchak at the phone number above. Thank you for your interest in the NHS.
David Manchak
NHS Sponsor
AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OPTIONS SCHOOL
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Please complete all sections of the NHS applications. Please print or type. Be as complete and as
honest as is possible. Every bit of information you can provide will help us see you in the proper light
and will help the faculty committee in their selections. Please be aware that completing this
application does not guarantee selection to the National Honor Society.
Name___________________________________________________________ Grade___________
Options School of Attendance_________________________________ Phone #_______________
Co-Curricular Activities
List all activities in which you have participated during high school. Include clubs, teams, musical
groups, etc. Indicate the grade(s) you were involved and any special award or accomplishment
achieved.
Activity
Grade
Award or Accomplishment
Leadership Positions
List all elected or appointed leadership positions held in high school, in the community, or in your
work place. List only those positions in which you were directly responsible for directing,
motivating, or leading others. Be specific as to the position and what your responsibilities were.
Activity
Grade
Responsibilities
Service Activities
List all community service activities in which you have been actively involved on a regular basis.
These can be service projects done with a group either in or out of school or done as an individual
service project. Generally speaking,, community service projects are performed for the benefit of
others (not family members) for which no compensations has been given. Please describe the
community service activity and indicate what year the service was performed.
Activity
Grade
Other Community Activities
List other community activities in which you have been involved during your high school years. Such
activities may include Boy/Girl Scouts, Church Groups, Clubs, Athletic endeavors outside school, etc.
Do not repeat participation already listed.
Work Experience, Honors, Recognitions
List below any work experience, honors, or recognitions that you have received that add to your
qualifications as an applicant for the NHS. Work experience can be paid or volunteer.
Work Experience, Recognition, or Awards
Grade
Essay
Personal Essay Topics: Answer one of the following questions in essay form.
1. Outside your parents and your God, who has been the most influential person in your life
and how have they affected you?
2. Discuss a community service project in which you played a major role. How has that
participation in the project changed you or impacted you as a person?
3. What unique and powerful experience in your life has shaped you into the person you are
today?
The essay must be typed/keyboarded and will be evaluated on content, form, and presentation
(spelling, punctuation, etc.)
I understand that completing this application does not guarantee selection to the
National Honor Society. I also attest that, to the best of my knowledge, all
information provided in this application is true and accurate.
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Student Signature
Parent Signature
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
LEADERSHIP
The student who exercises leadership:
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Is resourceful in proposing new solutions, applying principals, and making suggestions
Demonstrates initiative both in and out of the classroom
Exercises positive influence in all that he/she does
Contributes ideas that improve the civic life and the climate of the school
Is able to delegate responsibilities
Exemplifies a positive attitude
Inspires positive behavior in others
Demonstrates academic initiative
Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility; conducts business effectively and
efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability assumes leadership roles in the classroom, at
work, and in other school or community activities
Works well with others whether in a leadership role or not
SERVICE
The student who serves:
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Volunteers and provides dependable and well-organized assistance, is gladly available, and is
willing to sacrifice his/her talents and time to help others
Is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities
Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders service to others
Consistently participates in some out-of-school activities for the benefit of others for which no
compensation is given
Volunteers time and energy for those less fortunate (the elderly, the poor, the disadvantaged)
Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools
CHARACTER
The student of character is said to:
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Take criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
Consistently exemplify desirable qualities such as cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability,
openness, honesty, reliability and honor
Uphold principals of morality and ethics
Cooperate and support school regulations and policies
Consistently show courtesy, concern, and respect for others
Demonstrate self-reliance and self-discipline
Consistently attend to his/her responsibilities both in and out of the classroom
Manifest truthfulness and honor in all that he/she does
Actively help rid the school of negative influences and unhealthy environments