By Michala K Redeye,
TOSA Native American Program Coordinator, Salamanca City Central School District
Pictured – Standing L to R: Amos Whitcomb, Eric Murphy, Cole Johnson. Seated L to R: Reece Redeye-Despocito, Maeghan Collins,
Carson Redeye.
December 20, 2019 – Salamanca High School held their annual National Honor Society “tapping” ceremony. This is where we “tap” new members into the Salamanca Chapter of the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools, under the sponsorship and supervision of the National Association of Secondary School principals. The purpose of the NHS is to create enthusiasm for scholarships, stimulate a desire to render service, promote leadership, and to develop character in its members. The NHS was regarded from its inception as a concrete way to promote high academic standards and an instrument for the betterment of the individual and the school. Current members of our organization, tapped last year have completed one full year of satisfactory membership. To maintain their membership in NHS, these students have been required to keep their cumulative average above 89.5%; to participate in at least one group sponsored service project and at least one individual service project, to continue to demonstrate and strengthen their leadership skills, and to continue to demonstrate good character traits both inside and outside of school.
This year, the current National Honor Society members have already sponsored one group service project. After raising almost $450 in monetary donations, they sponsored a family to help make Christmas brighter for a family in need.
And, we will soon be joining individuals from all over the nation to, once again, raise money for The Leukemia Lymphoma Society with the Pennies for Patients Drive.
At the beginning of the month, several juniors were notified that they met the initial scholarship requirement for NHS membership. The initial academic eligibility requirement is an unweighted, cumulative average of at least 89.5%.
Next, the cumulative, first marking period averages, as well as individual averages of core courses were closely reviewed. Scholarship, however, is only the first qualification for membership. Members in the National Honor Society are expected to demonstrate not only high academic standards, but also the attributes of leadership, service, and good character. Therefore, each of the students who met the initial academic requirement was given an activity sheet to complete detailing extra- curricular activities, community activities, and service projects that could demonstrate ability in these areas. In addition to completing the activity sheet, students were required to submit a one page, typed personal statement on one of the topics: leadership, service to others, or character. Another key component of the selection process is the faculty rating. All members of the faculty who have knowledge of the candidates rate them in the areas of responsibility, attitude toward their peers and their teachers, leadership capabilities, and character. A faculty selection committee, consisting of five members in addition to us advisors, closely reviews the student activity sheets, the faculty rating scores, the students’ transcripts, and the first marking period report cards. It was with much honor to “tap” the newest members into the National Honor Society today.
National Honor Society Advisors:
Lynn Magiera
Michala Redeye
Brittney Jimerson
Current members:
Jordan Ray, Nizhoni Kennedy, Aly Hill, Emma Fiske, Kohl Ambuske, Justin Blakeslee, Dylan Wheeler, Dennis Cogley Jr.
New members:
Carson Redeye, Amos Whitcomb, Maeghan Collins, Eric Murphy,
Reece Redeye-Despocito, Cole Johnson
