ST. ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL

Committed to academic excellence in the preparation of young men and women for college and for

lifelong learning in a community in which religious truth and values are central to the school program

August 15, 2008

Dear Candidate:

I am pleased to inform you that you have qualified academically for membership in the St. Elizabeth chapter of the National Honor Society. Selection is based upon scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Scholastically, You have attained the required academic requirement of a 3.5 cumulative grade point average. The academic council, based upon your leadership, service to school and community, and your character, will be considering your completed application in September.

Most of you have been working on your rough draft form of the NHS Activities Application that is available for you to download from our website at www.sehs.org.  As we discussed at our June possible candidate meeting, this application requires you to think through your responses and pull together all of your work in the areas of: Character, Service and Leadership to add to your scholarship accomplishments.  If you have any questions regarding this application, please do not hesitate to contact me at St. Elizabeth High School at 302-656-3369 ext. 3042.

We also need to know the number of hours completed toward your MANNA service hours obligation. Completed documentation on file with Ms. Kegelman will be checked to verify your hours.  Please write the number of completed service hours at the top of your application.  Also, for any school activities, please obtain a signature from a faculty member to verify your participation in the activity.  This must be done at the beginning of school, and must be on your completed application that will be due in my office on Friday, October 5, 2007, no later than 2:00 p.m.

Perhaps the most difficult area to evaluate for selection of members is that of character. To assist the academic council in their decision, we are asking each of you to write a brief essay (no more than two pages, but at least one page) describing the ways that you display positive character. The National Honor Society Handbook created by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, describes "character" in the following way: "A candidate will be able to demonstrate an outstanding record of conduct and behavior with regard to school and community rules, guidelines, and policies.  A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship.”  In addition, it can also be said that the student of character:

-   Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.

-   Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, and stability).

-   Upholds principles of morality and ethics.

-   Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.

-   Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability.

-   Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.

-   Has a power of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and

    application to studies.

-   Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing

    unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others.

As you reflect back over your accomplishments thus far in your academic career, take time to carefully prepare your application into the National Honor Society.  We will meet formally on Friday, September 7, 2007, to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding this awesome task you are now completing.  Again, congratulations on your scholastic accomplishments.  I look forward to meeting with you in September, and good luck in completing your application.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Joanne Gibbons

Mrs. Joanne Gibbons