National Honor Society

This prestigious organization, founded in 1921, recognizes and encourages not only academic achievement, but also ideals of character, service and leadership. Over ninety years later, membership in this organization continues to signify a standard of excellence recognized by administrators, faculty, students, parents, and community members.  

The Martin Luther High School chapter was chartered in 1997.  Through chapter and school activities, members maintain and extend the qualities that won them selection.  Membership is thus, both an honor and a commitment. Our local chapter, like those across the nation, has as its purpose to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership and to develop character in the students of the organization.

Here at Martin Luther High School, we also have the unique ability to emphasize faith in Jesus Christ as a part of our character development. 

Membership is an honor bestowed through a process culminating in selection by a Faculty Council, which looks carefully at character, leadership and service of those who qualify academically. 

Academics: Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities.  A 3.0 GPA must be maintained, and each year two chapter members are nominated for a scholarship given by the National organization.

Scholarship means a commitment to learning.  A student is willing to spend hours in reading and study, knowing the lasting benefits of a cultivated mind.  We should continue to learn even when formal education has ended, for education ends only with the end of life.  Knowledge is one element in life, which leads to the highest success, and it can be acquired in only one way – through diligence and effort.  Learning furnishes the lamp by which we read the past, and light, which illuminates the future.  Candidates have the charge to continually expand the world through opportunities inherent in scholarship.

Service can be described in various ways.  In the routine of the day’s work, many opportunities arise to help others.  Willingness to work for the benefit of those in need, without monetary compensation or without recognition, is the quality we seek in our membership.  We are committed to the idea of volunteering our time and abilities to the creation of a better tomorrow.

Each year members participate in at least one group service project. 

Leadership should exert a wholesome influence on the school.  In taking the initiative in class and school activities, the real leader strives to train and aid others to attain the same objective.  The price of leadership is sacrifice – the interest of others.  A leader has self-confidence and will go forward when others hesitate.  No matter what power and resources may exist in a country, they are ineffectual without the guidance of a wise leader.  Leadership is always needed: thus, to lead is a substantive charge to each of our members.

At MLHS many of our members exemplify leadership by serving as class officers, student council members, team captains, and as leaders in organizations in their church and community. 

Character is the force within each individual which distinguishes that person from others.  It gives each one individuality.  Is that without which no one can respect oneself, nor hope to attain the respect of others.  It is this force of character which guides one though life and, when once developed, grows steadily.  

Character is achieved and not received.  It is the product of consistent action, daily striving to make the right choice.  The problem of character is the problem of self-control.  By demonstrating such qualities as respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship, we may hope to prove by example that we value character.

For more information visit www.nhs.us.

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2018-2019 NHS Members
L:R, First row: NHS Advisor Lisa Kube, Dalton Fette, Sierra Geistfeld, Autumn Fischer, Bennett Shane, Emma Bolen*, Caleb Schultz*. Second row: Paxton Gravlin, Alexys Flohrs, Cody Greve, Joshua Bergt*, Madisen Wildfeuer, Michaelah Petrowiak*, Lydia Steinhaus.  
*denote new inductee