National Honor Society

Venango Catholic High School recognizes that the National Honor Society is at the forefront of organizations and societies that promote the appropriate recognition of students who have a record of outstanding achievement in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership, and service. College admissions officers often regard Honor Society membership as a valid indicator of future success in post-secondary education.

Membership is a privilege, not a right. Students do not apply for membership in the National Honor Society. It is an honor bestowed on an individual by the administration and faculty. In the spring of each school year, students whose overall grade point average is 3.5 or higher will be given a Student Activity Information Form. A five member faculty council will review these forms and any other available information in considering each eligible student for membership. In addition to scholarship, the following criteria will be used:

Leadership – the student who exercises leadership:

• Is resourceful in proposing new solutions to problems, applying principles, and making suggestions
• Demonstrates leadership 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 responsibility
• Exemplifies a positive attitude
• Demonstrates academic initiative
• Inspires positive behavior
• Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducts business efficiently and effectively, and without prodding, demonstrates reliability and dependability
• Demonstrates leadership in the classroom, at work, and in school or community activities
• Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted

Service – the student who serves:

• Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal attitude
• Participates in outside activities: Church Youth Group, Parish Ministry, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged, family duties, etc.
• Volunteers dependable and well-organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice or offer assistance
• Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities
• Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school
• Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition
• Does committee and staff work without complaint
• Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, students

Character – the student of character:

• Takes criticism willingly and accepts responsibility graciously
• Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)
• Upholds principles of morality and ethics
• Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
• Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
• Observes instructions and rules, punctuality, and faithfulness both inside and outside of the classroom
• Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies
• Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistake of others
• Actively helps to rid the school of bad influences or environment

Dismissal

A National Honor Society member must maintain the standards for membership in order to retain his/her membership. Any member who falls below the standards which were the basis of his/her election shall be promptly warned in writing by the faculty moderator. If during the next regular marking period of the school, the member fails to meet the standards used as a basis for his/her election to the Society, his/her case shall be referred to the Headmasters Council. A member will be allowed only one warning period, except in the case of flagrant violation of school rules or the law, whereby no warning is required. The Headmasters Council shall have final approval for dismissal. Once a member is dismissed, he/she is never again eligible for the National Honor Society.

When a member is dismissed, he/she must be notified in writing and his/her pin and membership card returned to the faculty moderator or Headmaster. Notice of his/her dismissal must be indicated on the annual report submitted to the national secretary at the end of the school year.