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Junior Honor Society

National Junior Honor Society of Secondary Schools 

J.A. DePaolo Middle School Chapter 

The purpose of the DePaolo Middle School chapter of the National Junior Honor Society of Secondary Schools is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, to develop character, and to encourage citizenship. 

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION 

Membership selection will be by a faculty council decision and will be based on the outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, service, and citizenship of the candidates.   The following guidelines will be used to define the above mentioned criteria: 

Scholarship 

The following criteria will be used: 

  • Seventh and eighth grade students must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 at the end of the previous school year. 

Leadership 

The student who exercises leadership: 

  • Demonstrates leadership in the classroom and in school or community activities

  • Successfully holds positions of responsibility, conducting business efficiently and effectively 

  • Is able to engage the loyalty and cooperation of others 

  • Exemplifies positive attitudes and inspires positive behavior in others 

  • Is thoroughly dependable and reliable in any responsibility accepted 

  • Demonstrates initiative in carrying out responsibility without the prodding of teachers 

  • Promotes worthy and proper school activities 

Service 

The student who serves:

  • Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school 

  • Volunteers dependable and well organized assistance 

  • Is willing to sacrifice time to offer assistance 

  • Places service to others above self interest 

  • Renders service through the school to the community 

Character 

The student of character: 

  • Demonstrates highest standards of honesty, reliability, fairness, and tolerance

  • Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others 

  • Observes instructions and rules, punctuality, and faithfulness both inside and outside the classroom 

  • Takes criticism willingly, accepts recommendations graciously, and displays efforts to improve 

  • Demonstrates concern for self growth and progress 

Citizenship 

The student who demonstrates citizenship:

  • Demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, church groups, community organizations, school clubs, etc. 

  • Understands the importance of civic involvement 

  • Has high regard for freedom, justice, and respect 

SELECTION PROCEDURE 

Seventh and eighth grade students who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 at the end of the previous school year will be rated by the entire faculty on the qualities of scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. Eligible students must submit a student activity information sheet to be considered for selection. The student activity information sheet contains information about a student's extracurricular activities, community activities, leadership positions, and honors and awards. 

The final selection is made by a faculty council consisting of multiple teachers. This council utilizes the faculty rating sheet and student activity information sheet and bases its selection on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, service, and citizenship. Qualified students are selected for National Junior Honor Society membership by a majority vote of the faculty council. 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERS 

Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a secondary school student. It carries with it a responsibility and an obligation on the part of the student to demonstrate the outstanding qualities that resulted in that student's selection and to participate in all chapter activities.