The National Honor Society chapter of Lutheran South Academy is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of this prestigious national organization. Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in four areas of evaluation: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Standards for selection are established by the national office of NHS and have been revised to meet our local chapter needs. Each spring semester, working on behalf of the faculty, a 5-member Faculty Council, appointed by the principal, selects students for membership.
Students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades are eligible for membership. For the scholarship criterion, a student must have an un-weighted cumulative GPA of a 3.2 or better on a 4.0 scale. Those students who meet this criterion are invited to complete a Student Activity Information Form that provides the Faculty Council with information regarding the candidate's leadership and service. A history of leadership experiences and participation in school or community service is also required.
To evaluate a candidate's character, the Faculty Council uses two forms of input. First, school disciplinary records are reviewed. Second, members of the faculty are solicited for input regarding their professional reflections on a candidate's service activities, character, and leadership. These forms and the Student Activity Information Forms are carefully reviewed by the Faculty Council to determine membership. A majority vote of the Council is necessary for selection. Candidates are notified regarding selection or non-selection according to a predetermined schedule.
Following notification, a formal induction ceremony is held at the school to recognize all the newly selected members. Once inducted, new members are required to maintain the same level of performance (or better) in all four criteria that led to their selection. Students or parents who have questions regarding the selection process or membership obligations can contact Mrs. Morgan.
The LSA Chapter of National Honor Society stresses service and giving to both the school and the community. In the fall of 2009, the chapter collected linens and pillows, which benefited more than 100 families from Seabrook Intermediate who were affected by Hurricane Ike. This spring, the chapter is helping Gwen Noser raise $15,000 for a specialized seizure alert dog. Having this dog will allow her to return to a more normal life. In addition to the larger chapter projects, students have served their campus and community by tutoring lower and middle school students, volunteering their time at Santa's Day Out, and working to serve through Assisteens, Scouts, and their churches.
