National Junior Honor Society Application Guide and Essay Examples: Are you interested in learning about the National Junior Honor Society? In this article, I will give you a sure guide on applying for the National Junior Honor Society and writing a winning application essay.
This article is comprehensive and extensively covers every detail about the National Junior Honor Society.
Without much ado, let’s get started.
What is the National Junior Honor Society?
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) was founded in 1929 to recognize exceptional middle-school students.
NJHS is more than just an honor roll; it recognizes students who have excelled in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. Since the organization’s inception in 1929, these characteristics have been associated with membership.
Chapter membership recognizes students’ achievements and challenges them to grow further through active participation in school activities and community service.
NHS and NJHS chapters can be found in every state in the United States and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. territories, and Canada.
Today, it is estimated that over one million students participate in NHS (High School) and NJHS activities (Middle School).
For more about NJHS, visit the official website at https://www.njhs.us/.
Eligibility/Qualifications to Participate in the National Junior Honor Society
Students will first qualify for an invitation based on their demonstrated success in the area of scholarship, following the national standards set by NJHS.
As a result, students in 7th grade with a cumulative grade average of 93 or higher at the end of the third nine weeks will be invited to apply.
Students will then complete the application by providing examples of their achievements in the remaining areas of Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship.
To put it straight, just because a student qualifies based on their cumulative average (scholarship) does not guarantee that they will be inducted into the NJHS.
How do you get inducted into the NJHS?
Teachers will receive recommendation forms after students complete an application before NJHS Faculty Council reviews all of their qualifications.
The Faculty Council is an anonymous group of faculty members who decide who will be invited to the NJHS for induction.
The Faculty Council also decides whether a student should be dismissed for failing to meet expectations in one of the five categories of scholarship, leadership, service, character, or citizenship.
National Junior Honor Society Application Guide
Your application packet must be assembled in the correct order.
And your name must be on the application packet.
The following is what is contained in the application packet:
- Application Packet Cover Page
- Application Essay
- Student Activity Information Sheet
- Teacher Recommendation Form
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National Junior Honor Society Essay Questions
Essay questions are written and graded with the following categories in mind.
1. Answer the Question of Character and Citizenship
Who you are when no one is looking is your character. Citizenship is an expression of one’s commitment to school, neighborhood, city, state, country, and world.
You will be expected to think of three character traits you possess. Examples could include bravery, joyfulness, punctuality, kindness, loyalty, cheerfulness, honesty, thankfulness, patience, humor, sharing, understanding, tolerance, cooperation, perseverance, fairness, generosity, etc.
Explain briefly how you demonstrated these three characteristics and how they benefited your school and community.
Would you please provide a few descriptive examples to support each trait (you can refer to your Student Activity Information Sheet for assistance!)?
Next, explain how these qualities will benefit your school and community if you are inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.
Don’t be embarrassed to talk about your accomplishments; be proud of what you’ve accomplished!
2. Follow the Guidelines
Guidelines for Essay format (4 paragraphs)
- Introductory sentence/s -Paragraph 1- Write your three character traits and provide supporting examples.
- Next two Paragraphs – Connect to how these traits will benefit others as an NJHS member.
- Concluding sentence/s (last paragraph).
Other Guidelines
- Please type your essay, double-spaced, in 12-point font.
- Please keep your essay to approximately 150-250 words (this is about 1 to 1 ½ pages double-spaced). To check your word count In Microsoft Word, highlight the text, go to “Tools,” and choose “Word Count.”
- Be creative!!!
- Proofread!!!!!
- Use proper grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling!
- Make sure your first and last name and grade level are in the top right corner of your essay.
National Junior Honor Society Student Activity Information Sheet
Directions
You are expected to complete all sections of this sheet as part of your application packet.
The completed NJHS Student Activity Information sheet should be printed.
Don’t be modest in this application; you need to brag about yourself!
In this section, only essential items should be listed. You can use your essay section to include details and other accomplishments that you want to share.
Sections to be completed
The following are the sections contained in the NJHS student activity information sheet:
1. Scholarship
In this section, you are expected to list all honors and awards you’ve earned for academic excellence in the last two years.
You may include honor roll, straight A’s, and your GPA.
2. Co-Curricular Activities
In the co-curricular activities section, list all in-school and community activities you have participated in in the past two years.
This includes clubs, teams, musical groups, significant accomplishments, etc.
3. Leadership
You are to neatly list all leadership experiences you have had at school or in the community in the last two years here.
Be sure to include positions in which you were responsible for directing or motivating others.
4. Service
Neatly list all service activities in which you have participated in the last two years in this section.
These can be service projects with a group in or out of school or done as an individual.
Generally, these services should be those done for or on behalf of others (not including immediate family) for no compensation (payment).
You will also need to include an adult’s name and contact information who can verify your service activities.
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National Junior Honor Society Teacher Recommendation Form
The student’s teachers duly sign this section, showing that the student is eligible for membership in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).
Students must obtain four teacher signatures, two of which must be from current or last year’s core (English, Reading, Math, World Studies, or Science) teachers, one from a past core teacher, and one from a current or past elective teacher.
Below is a sample of the teacher recommendation form:
Selection for membership is determined by the Faculty Council and is based on outstanding scholarship (3.85 cumulative GPA), citizenship, character, leadership, and service.
Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities.
If you would recommend the candidate, according to the above-stated qualifications- without reservation, please sign in the space below.
1. I recommend this candidate, without reservation, for membership in the NJHS. __________________________________________________ Teacher Signature Print Name
__________________________________________________ Current or last year’s Core Subject Taught
2. I recommend this candidate, without reservation, for membership in the NJHS. __________________________________________________ Teacher Signature Print Name
__________________________________________________ Current or last year’s Core Subject Taught
3. I recommend this candidate, without reservation, for membership in the NJHS. __________________________________________________ Teacher Signature Print Name
__________________________________________________ Past Core Subject Taught
4. I recommend this candidate, without reservation, for membership in the NJHS. __________________________________________________ Teacher Signature Print Name
__________________________________________________ Current or past Elective Subject Taught
What does an exemplary NJHS candidate look like?
1. Scholarship
Students who have a cumulative grade average of 93 or higher, as determined by the Faculty Council of their local school, are eligible to join the National Junior Honor Society. Following that, these students are eligible for consideration based on their service, leadership, and character (and citizenship for NJHS).
2. Service
This quality is defined by a student’s selfless contributions to the school or community, made without compensation and in a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic manner.
3. Leadership
Student leaders are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, contributors of ideas, dependable, and people who have a positive attitude toward life. Leadership experiences can be gained while working with or for others at school or in the community.
4. Character
A student of good character upholds moral and ethical principles, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, demonstrates courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and leads a healthy and clean lifestyle.
You must note that the goal of NJHS is to build leaders and do service.
Guide for the National Junior Honor Society Essay
Here are some pointers to help you write a strong application essay.
1. Make an essay plan
Begin by jotting down the main points of your essay. Consider what achievements demonstrate that you meet the NJHS’s requirements for this step.
Then, before you begin writing, sketch out the structure of your essay to ensure that it is well-organized and efficient. This will make it easier for you to write a balanced composition that thoroughly covers each of your essential topics.
2. Emphasize your academic accomplishments
First, talk about your academic achievements. Only students who have excelled academically are eligible to join the NJHS. List your grade point average, class rank, and any academic honors you’ve received, such as the Honor Roll.
List any honors, college prefect, or advanced placement courses you’ve taken or are currently enrolled in. It’s critical to show that you’ve not only succeeded academically but also that you’ve pushed yourself academically.
3. Emphasize your experience as a leader.
Include details of your experience as a class officer or in any leadership position in an extracurricular activity. Also, if applicable, talk about your sports leadership. If you’ve ever been a team captain, mention it. Talk about your leadership in other social organizations.
Indicate whether you were elected or appointed to your position. The NJHS looks for students who are involved in extracurricular activities and who stand out as leaders among their peers and adults.
4. Demonstrate How You’ve Helped Others
This is a great opportunity to highlight your volunteer work because the NJHS looks for students who have given back to their communities without receiving any compensation.
Make a list of all the volunteer organizations in which you are active, as well as any community service projects you have participated in.
5. Make a Statement About Who You Are
The NJHS looks for cooperative, honest, reliable, polite, caring, and respectful students when assessing character.
Think about how you’ve demonstrated these traits in the past. Tell a story that shows your character and ethics, but don’t go into too much detail. Keep your mind on the task at hand.
6. Prove That You’re a Good Person.
NJHS is on the lookout for students who recognize the value of civic involvement and who demonstrate this value through their participation in extracurricular activities both inside and outside of school.
Describe any extracurricular activities you’ve participated in, such as Scouts or other groups that serve your community.
Make it clear that you are committed to making a positive impact on the world around you.
7. Proofread Your Paper
Do one last read-through of your essay before submitting it to ensure that it represents you well and is free of errors.
Before submitting your essay, have a teacher or parent check it for errors in grammar and content.
National Junior Honor Society Essay Examples
Here’s a sample essay for your guide:
It is a great honor for me to have been chosen as a candidate for membership in the National Honor Society by my teachers and other leaders. It means I’ve met my goal of demonstrating my determination and willingness to assist others and serve the community.
I believe I can be a valuable member of the NHS because I am hardworking and dependable, and I have all of the qualities required by this prestigious organization, such as scholarship, leadership, character, and service abilities.
My academic achievements are the result of my hard work, and I am confident that my membership in NHS will help me achieve success and cherish the possibility of becoming a leader and thus a worthy role model for others. I have proven to my teachers and myself that I can achieve my goals by earning GPAs of 3.91 and 3.92 in the ninth and tenth grades, respectively.
One of these ambitions is to be a member of NHS society. In addition, while in high school, I took all honors courses, and as an elementary student, I participated in many academic competitions, such as the Academic Challenge in 6th and 7th grade, where my team and I placed second and first, respectively.
Aside from studying diligently and competing in competitions, I also play an active role in the school. I’ve had the opportunity to develop my leadership and organizational skills through sports since I was a child, and my school team has won numerous competitions.
My school is one of the places where my leadership skills are valued, as I frequently become the head of many activities, such as staging plays, organizing shows, and organizing school trips with my teachers. As a leader, I am able to work in a team and consider the ideas of my peers in order to make our plans creative and enjoyable for everyone.
My characteristics assist me in gaining the trust and respect of my peers, who regard me as a positive, open-minded, and trustworthy individual. I’ve learned to solve problems and resolve conflicts as a result of this invaluable leadership experience, and I’m always willing to help my colleagues when they need it.
I am writing to express my interest in becoming a member of the National Junior Honor Society. I am deserving of membership in the National Junior Honor Society for a variety of reasons. To begin, I am deserving of membership in the National Junior Honor Society due to my leadership abilities. Additionally, I possess a strong character and am capable of working well in a team setting. Finally, I am willing to help those in need while also honoring my country.
To summarize, I am deserving of membership in the National Junior Honor Society because of my strong character, my leadership abilities, my ability to work in a team, my willingness to assist those in need, and my commitment to honoring our country. The first reason I should be a member of the National Junior Honor Society is for my leadership abilities. My first demonstration of leadership abilities is through my youth group in Cecilton Parish. I am the treasurer and assist with fundraising ideas. We organized a spaghetti dinner for the church as a group, and I was in charge of the finances and the setting.
To this end, I demonstrate active leadership in school. I am a very active student in the classroom setting. I enjoy leading groups and assisting in the organization of when and what needs to be accomplished during a project. Additionally, I assist the group in remaining on task and assisting them when necessary.
I demonstrate leadership abilities at school, church, and after-school activities. I should also be considered because of my strong character and ability to work in a team. I’ve never had an MRI or an ODR because I’m constantly thinking about others and cheering them up. Additionally, I strive to be a positive influence on others through my behavior and gentleness. Additionally, I enjoy assisting my teammates and treating everyone fairly. Finally, I assist anyone I can and I respect my country. I demonstrate these characteristics by volunteering in the community, assisting my family, and forming positive opinions on political and social issues.
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