Copper Hills Chapter of the National Honors Society
The National Honor Society (NHS), supported by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), stands as a beacon of intellectual rigor, a celebration of service, a paragon of leadership, and a champion of character. Created in 1921, amidst an educational landscape caught between the balancing act of athletics and academics, Dr. Edward Rynearson, principal of the Fifth Avenue High School in Pittsburgh, PA, had a profound vision. He saw the future of an organization that would not only ignite the flames of scholarship but also fan the sparks of service, leadership, and character in the young minds of our nation. These key interests became the Four Pillars of NHS and drive the organization and its members to this day.
Over 100 years later, NHS continues the same tradition of uniting students who uphold these Four Pillars as they serve their communities and build their experience to help them become leaders of tomorrow who will change the world. The Copper Hills chapter of NHS was established shortly after the opening of Copper Hills High School in 1995. For over 30 years, our chapter has brought together the best students our school has to offer and harnesses their collective enthusiasm and motivation to serve their own school and community.
NHS is highly selective in determining eligibility for membership. To be granted membership in NHS is a distinct honor that signals to academic and professional organizations that a young person is amongst the top tier of students who can be counted on to uphold the Four Pillars of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Membership in NHS is one of the best ways to set oneself apart from the crowd, but is reserved for those who truly value learning and service to their community.
New Member Applications
The Copper Hills chapter of NHS recruits new members in the spring semester of every school year to be admitted at the beginning of the fall semester the following school year. In order to apply, prospective members must meet the following criteria:
- be in their sophomore or junior year at CHHS
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.7
- Have completed at least one full semester at CHHS
It is important to note that submitting an application does not guarantee membership to NHS. Each application is reviewed and voted on by a five-member Faculty Council. The council is evaluating each application not just for academic success but for how well the applicant demonstrates their commitment to the Four Pillars of NHS; scholarship, service, leadership, & character.
It is also important to note that membership in NHS represents a significant time commitment. NHS members are expected to manage their time and commitments such that they may meet the participation standards set forth in the Chapter Bylaws. All prospective members should review these standards carefully to make sure that other activities such as athletics or jobs will not preclude participation in NHS activities. The basics of NHS requirements and responsibilities are in the disclaimer of the membership application. More thorough information can be found in Article VI of the Chapter Bylaws.
The membership application consists of three main parts. Each is listed below. The window for NHS New Member Applications will be from 17 March 2025 - 14 April 2025. The links to the appropriate resources will are listed below: