Central VPA High School

National Honor Society

Jean Kuczka Chapter @ CVPA

About

The National Honor Society (NHS) elevates a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.  These four pillars have been associated with membership in the organization since its inception in 1921.  Learn more about these four pillars of membership below.

Today, it is estimated more than one million students participate in NHS activities.  NHS chapters are found in all 50 states, US territories, Canada, and around the world.  Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

As such, NHS chapters and students are in schools which care not only about student achievement, but also community engagement.

NHS students and their peers volunteer in their communities at the highest rates and make connecting with and serving within the community a priority. 

History

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) officially established NHS in 1921.  Through many local and regional honor societies existed prior to 1921, no nationwide organization had been founded.  Under the leadership of Dr. Edward Rynearson, principal of the Fifth Avenue High School in Pittsburgh, the organization grew from the original Alpha Chapter at the Fifth Avenue School to more than 1,000 chapters by 1930.  Equipped with a constitution, an emblem, and motto, and a group of dedicated principals as coordinators, the new NHS organization quickly developed into one of the country’s leading educational groups.

Four Pillars

Unveiled over a century ago, the National Honor Society enshrines four pillars at its heart: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.  More than mere badges of honor for NHS members, these principles are transformative keys that unlock potential, enhancing every student’s educational journey, and ultimately empowering them to make profound, enduring contributions to our world.

Scholarship

Scholarship is more than a report card; it represents a dedicated commitment to lifelong learning. It’s about optimizing the educational opportunities offered and pursuing knowledge within and beyond academic confines. Scholarship necessitates a consistent effort, with an aspiration to contribute positively to the world through one’s own knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Service

Service represents the choice of stepping outside oneself to meet the needs of others, fueled by an unwavering passion for a cause, heartfelt empathy for others, or driven by personal circumstances.  It’s about performing selfless acts that transcend the ordinary, engendering transformative changes that resonate through our schools, ripple across our communities, and reverberate on a global scale.  In the noble act of service, we sculpt a better world with our hands, our hearts, and our humanity.

Leadership

Leadership is more than a position or title; it means embodying the spirit of initiative, innovation, and influence.  It’s about inspiring peers through actions, nurturing a collaborative environment, and championing positive change.  Student leaders embrace the responsibility of shaping their academic community, all while fostering personal growth and development.  It’s an interplay of intellect, empathy, and resilience, guiding others while continually learning and evolving.

Character

Character is the essence of who we are.  It is about valuing diversity, building relationships grounded in empathy, and exhibiting qualities like perseverance, respect, integrity, and honesty.  Character lies not in public acts of virtue or visible mistakes, but in the consistent commitment to ethical and compassionate decision-making that positively affects both oneself and others.

While each chapter may incorporate this vision of the pillars in their evaluation of candidates, these descriptions are not to be interpreted as selection criteria.  Each chapter establishes the criteria and procedure for selection at the local level, utilizing the policies and procedures found in the NHS Constitution and NHS Handbook.  For example, scholarship is the first criterion to become candidates for membership.  NHS national policy requires that each chapter set a cumulative GPA as their Scholarship criteria.

For additional information about the Jean Kuczka chapter please contact Dr. Michel B. Brindell at michel.brindell@slps.org.