My daughter was selected for a member of National Elementary Honor Society. She was invited to their official membership ceremony this evening.
I didn’t grow up in America so I didn’t know about this society. Their official website mentions about the criteria to select the members as follows.
Eligibility Requirements
Students in grades 4-6 who meet the requirements for membership outlined by their school’s chapter are eligible to be invited for membership.
Each chapter is required to publish its qualifications for membership, which is based on the four pillars of NEHS:
Scholarship
Per national guidelines, at a minimum, students must have a cumulative GPA of 85, B, 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent standard of excellence. (Each school chapter is allowed to require a higher cumulative GPA.)
Responsibility
Service
Leadership
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Before the ceremony, my husband talked with the responsible person for this society. He assured this membership is truly honorable. Some parents complain for not their children being selected. He has to explain the parents the selection was made by careful consideration of the four criteria. The schools are requested to submit the evidences to prove the student’s qualification. The membership can be a great help when applying a scholarship and even in job hunting.
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At the ceremony, I saw one mother who is familiar to us. She has two children who go to the same club activities held at the library; the coding club and the electric club. The mom was so proud of her children. I saw her crying during the ceremony. As a matter of fact, she was not the only who was shedding tears of joy. I saw other parents wiping off their tears. I did all my effort on not to cry during the ceremony. I cried alone at home, before the ceremony.
The ceremony was impressive. Four older grade members came to support the ceremony. Each member came up to the stage and explained about what to be expected to the members on each criteria.
Among them, I was touched about the leadership criteria the most.
It was explained like this.
Leadership is not always taken place from the front. Sometimes a great leader stands side by side with the group. Other times a great leader needs to support the group from behind, to make sure everybody is doing fine.
As for scholarship, they emphasized the importance of studying. Study is a lifelong business. Nobody can finish their study once school is done. Everybody’s journey to study continues until the very last day of their life. They encouraged the members to keep on studying. Study can be about anything and can be done anytime.
Once they learn something, it is their responsibility to use their knowledge and wisdom to lead others.
That leads to service. Any kinds of service is actually done for members themselves. Whenever the member offers any services, he/she should feel joy in offering the service. Offering service is actually joy for themselves, not to please others.
I enjoyed attending the ceremony. It was great.
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After we came back home, I informed my parents and in-laws about the NEHS membership ceremony. All the four grandparents were very happy and proud of their granddaughter. I appreciate my daughter to make our parents so happy and proud of her. Not to mention, she always makes my husband and me happy and proud of her. I am blessed to have her as my daughter in this life.
three wisdom 