History and Development of the National Honor Society

     In 1921, the National Association of Secondary School Principals passed a resolution to form the National Honor Society. The purpose of the Society was to recognize predetermined standards of citizenship in our secondary schools. This new organization was formed to create in our students an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character. 

     Since 1921, the Society has flourished. Today more than 15,000 chapters are chartered, and millions of young men and women have deserved and received recognition for their roll in ensuring a continuation of democracy and as instruments in the betterment of our society.

     In 1962, Greensburg Community High School became a chartered member of the National Honor Society. Thus, this marks the 40th annual induction ceremony for the school. 

Emblem

     The emblem of the National Honor Society shown on the pin NHS members receive is the keystone and flaming torch. The keystone bears at its base the letters C, S, L, and S, which stand for the four cardinal principles of this organization: Character, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service. As the keystone is placed by the builder to hold the perfect arch in perpetual stability, so the structure of your education must be held firm and true to the purposes of life by the virtues represented in this symbol.

     Character, the composite of all common virtues, sets the seal of excellence upon our every endeavor. Scholarship is the power of the mind to dispel ignorance and superstition through scientific investigation of truth. Leadership is the power of personality that blazes the trail for man's upward climb. Service is the beginning and end of our education, the basis from which blessings have been given to man. To bear forward the searching light of truth, to lead that others may follow in that light , to keep burning in our school a high ambition for the enduring values of life, and to serve---these are the purposes symbolized by the torch.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for membership, a student must have the qualities of character, scholarship as evidenced by at least a 3.4 grade point average, leadership, and service.

The Pledge

" I PLEDGE MYSELF TO UPHOLD 
THE HIGH PURPOSE OF THIS SOCIETY
TO WHICH I HAVE BEEN SELECTED,
STRIVING IN EVERY WAY BY WORD AND DEED 
TO MAKE ITS IDEALS
THE IDEALS OF MY SCHOOL."