National Honor Society

Academic achievement has been recognized for over a century at Clinton High School. The Clinton Rotary Club has sponsored the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony and the Award Dinner as one of its service projects. The Society was chartered June 20, 1950, as the Clinton Rotary Sponsored Chapter, No. 4123, of the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Students may become candidates for membership after the first semester of their Sophomore year, if they have maintained a scholastic average of 90 or better.  Students, who fail to meet this requirement during their Sophomore year, may become candidates for membership after the first semester of their Junior year, if they have maintained a scholastic average of 90 or better.  All subjects are used in determination of this scholastic average, with the exception of physical education.

After the first semester of each year, the Society Advisor will submit to the Faculty Council the names of students who qualify academically for membership, in addition, sophomores will need to complete 25 hours of service and juniors will need to complete 50 hours of service to be considered for membership.  At this time the Council will be asked to comment on the character, leadership and service within the school of those students. The Faculty Council is composed of five faculty members appointed by the Principal who have responsibility for the election of members to the National Honor Society. A majority vote of the Council is required to be elected as a member of the National Honor Society.

There are two classes of membership in the Society: active and graduate. Active members shall become graduate members at graduation. Graduate members shall have no voice in chapter affairs. Members who resign or are dismissed are never again eligible for membership or its benefits.

The procedure for dismissal occurs when a member falls below the standards, which were the basis for selection. Each member will be promptly warned in writing by the chapter advisor and given a reasonable amount of time to correct the deficiency, except that in the case of flagrant violation of school rules or civic laws, a member does not necessarily have to be warned. In case of impending dismissal, a member shall have the right to a hearing before the Faculty Council.

The Chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each year and all members shall regularly participate in these projects.  The projects shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or community; have the support of the administration within the school or community; have the support of the administration and the faculty; be appropriate and educationally defensible; and be well planned, organized and executed. Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in a service project, which reflects his or her particular talents and interests.  

All chapters are governed by the NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY National Constitution effective September 4, 1984, and the by-laws of the local chapter will specify which officers are needed, how they will be elected, when meetings will be held, what obligations members have, and similar locally pertinent information.  A copy of the National Honor Society Handbook, which has the National Constitution, is on file with the local advisor as are the by-laws.