National Honor Society
General Information:
The National Honor Society (NHS) was founded in 1921 and today has chapters in all 50 states as well as all territories governed by the United States. It is the oldest continuous honorary society for secondary and middle schools in America. The avowed mission of the NHS is to recognize those students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
CBC Chapter Admissions Criteria:
Members of the National Honor Society chapter at CBC are of the highest caliber and demonstrate excellence in all four pillars of the NHS. Junior and Senior students showing academic excellence by earning a 3.75 or higher cumulative GPA are eligible to apply to the NHS. Potential members will be notified via a letter mailed home in the beginning weeks of each school year. To be considered for admission, students will submit an application that demonstrates their leadership, involvement in activities at school and in the community, and good character. Those admitted to the CBC chapter of the NHS are considered shining examples of “Men for Tomorrow. Brothers for Life.”
Contact:
Please contact NHS faculty moderators Mr. David Brumfield [email protected] or Ms. Caroline Doerhoff [email protected] with any questions about the NHS.
The Four Pillars of the NHS:
Scholarship means a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend hours in reading and study, knowing the lasting benefits of the cultivated mind. We should continue to learn even when formal education had ended, for education ends only with life. Knowledge is one great element in life which leads to higher success, and it can be acquired in only one way - through diligence and effort. Learning furnishes the lamp by which we read the past, and the light which illuminates the future. NHS members have the charge to continually expand the world through the opportunities inherent in scholarship.
Service can be described in various ways. In the routine of the day’s work, many opportunities arise to help others. Willingness to work for the benefit of those in need, without the monetary compensation or without recognition, is the quality we seek in our membership. Here at CBC, our members volunteer time as tutors for those of their fellow students who need a little extra help, organize and run the annual Blood Drive and represent our school at events ranging from the auction and alumni functions to ushering for concerts and plays. In addition, our members are active in the many service opportunities offered for all students here. We are committed to the idea of volunteering our time and abilities to the creation of a better tomorrow.
Leadership exerts a wholesome influence on the school. In taking the initiative in class and school activities, the real leader strives to train and aid others to attain the same objective. The price of leadership is sacrifice---the willingness to yield one’s personal interests for the interests of others. A leader has self-confidence and will go forward while others hesitate. No matter what power and resources may exist in a community, they are ineffectual without the guidance of a wise leader. Leadership is always needed; thus, to lead is an important charge to each of our members.
Character is the force within each individual which distinguishes that person from others. It gives each of us our individuality. It is that without which no one can respect oneself, nor hope to gain the respect of others. It is this force of character which guides one through life and, when once developed, grows steadily. Character is achieved and not received. It is the product of constant action, daily striving to make the right choice. The problem of character is the problem of self-control. We must be, in reality, what we wish to appear to others. By demonstrating such qualities as reliability, honesty, and sincerity, we may hope to prove by example that we value character.