National Honor Society

About WHS National Honor Society

Welcome to the WHS NHS Webpage!  The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921.

Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). NHS and NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

"The purposes of this organization shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character..." - NHS Official Constitution

About WHS Verla Oare Chapter of National Honor Society 

Winslow High School has a proud tradition as the Verla Oare Chapter of National Honor Society. This chapter has been inducting new members since 1935 when the principal, Mr. R.E. Booth founded the National Honor Society at Winslow High School. In 1936, Miss Verla Oare became the Honor Society Sponsor. In 1946, with the advice of Mr. Wolfenbarger, the local Honor Society petitioned the National Honor Society for a charter. Charter Number 3109 was granted to the Winslow Honor Society on January 19, 1946.

The History of the National Honor Society

In 1921, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) officially established the National Honor Society.  Though many local and regional honor societies existed prior to 1921, no nationwide organization had been founded.  Under the leadership of Dr. Edward Rynearson, principal of the Fifth Avenue High School, Pittsburgh, Pa., the organization grew from the original Alpha Chapter at the Fifth Avenue School to more than 1,000 chapters by 1930.  Equipped with a constitution, an emblem and motto, and a group of dedicated principals as coordinators, the new NHS organization quickly developed into one of the country's leading educational groups.

Four main purposes have guided chapters of NHS from the beginning: "To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools." (taken from the NHS Constitution).  These purposes also translate into the primary criteria used for membership selection in each local chapter.

Invitations to join the Verla Oare Chapter of National Honor Society will be sent out early in the fall semester each year to eligible junior students with at least a 3.7 unweighted GPA, no referrals, and no suspensions/academic integrity violations. 

If you have any additional questions, please contact the NHS faculty advisor, Mrs. Michelle Jones, at 928-288-8100 ext. 8160, or via e-mail at: [email protected]