Ruth Ross Chapter
The first scholarship honor society (Phi Beta Sigma)
was founded in 1900 by Dr. Wm. B. Owen when he was principal
of the old South Side Academy of Chicago. After theworth
of this society had been proved, many other non-secret
societies were organized for the recognition of scholarship.
In many instances the schools of a certain type have united
and agreed upon the same standard of scholarship and similar
methods of recognition for the entire group of schools.
Thus the honor society had its birth.
At a meeting of the National Association of Secondary
-School Prinipals in 1919, J. G. Masters of Omaha, was
appointed chairman of the committee on a national honor
society. The association favored the formation of a National
honor society and authorized the president to appoint
a committee on constitution and organization, which drew
up the constitution of the organization. Authority is
vested in a national council of nine members.
The four objectives, scholarship, leadership, character,
and service, are not the only ones but they do include
many of the things tor which the secondary schools stand.
While scholarship is one requisite, it is not the only
objective of the National Honor Society. Service
is interpreted as: A wllingness to render cheerfully and
enthusiastically any service to the school - whenever
called upon. Leadership is interpreted to mean: Exerting
a type of leadership which actively and
wholesomely influences toward a fine leadership. A student
may gain recognition in character by: Constantly demonstrating
such qualities of personality, honesty, reliability, promptness,
achievement, and morality as are indispensable to the
finest young manhood and womanhood.
A student must rank in the upper third of his class to
be selected by the faculty as a member of the National
Honor Society. |