A Photo Essay:
The national junior honor society was established in 1929 by the national associations of secondary school principals to recognize the outstanding qualities of the students in the junior high schools across the nation, through the recognition it was hoped to encourage excellence in academic performance during early adolescence.
In 1919, the formation of the national junior honor society was proposed. A committee on constitution and organization met two years later to determine the characteristics that would be broad enough to meet the needs of a nationwide honor society. After considerable discussion, the committee decided upon five fundamental virtues most worthy of encouragement in young people. These five are the characteristics upon which the selection of this evening’s candidates was based. They include: character, leadership, scholarship, citizenship and service to the community.
The earliest mention of an honor society for students in a separate junior high school was recorded at a meeting of the national council in Cincinnati, Ohio in February of 1927. The first chapter to a junior high school was granted in 1930 to the Clarinda junior high school, in the state of Iowa.
The Lincoln chapter has been established and dates back to 1987. We would like to continue this tradition by honoring the current students being inducted into this chapter.
Mrs. Stecich would like to share the qualifications met by these young people who were inducted. Eligibility in NJHS is open to all students that met the scholarship requirements of a 3.2 GPA during last school year and have continued to meet these requirements this school year. In addition, each student must complete a student activity form which describes evidence of community service, leadership abilities, positive character and respect for the community in which he or she lives. The teachers of the prospective members are asked to rate the students on the society‘s desired characteristics. These scores are then evaluated along with the activity form by the faculty council. The students being honored have successfully met the requirements.
Scholarship is the key factor however, without the highest character; scholarship would be of little value. Additionally, membership is based on leadership, service, and citizenship- the cornerstones of NJHS.
They will also complete 10 hours of community service helping Lincoln Avenue School and their community.
The candles of our chapter symbolize the ideals of NJHS. Purple is for leadership. White is for scholarship. Green is for character. Red is for service gold is for citizenship.