Christopher Columbus High School

A Catholic School for Young Men in the Marist Tradition since 1958
Academics

Honor Societies

List of 15 items.

  • National Honor Society

    Moderator:
    Adriana Amador - aamador@columbushs.com 

    Purpose of the National Honor Society:
    The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization, established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll distinction, NHS serves to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

    Selection Process:
    Students are invited to membership in the Br. Edmund Sheehan Chapter of the National Honor Society.

    Sophomores and Juniors are eligible for candidacy only if they have met or exceeded the following requirements:

    1. Scholarship:
    GPA: 3.5 unweighted cumulative (grades are not rounded up)
    GPA is calculated through the Fall semester of sophomore or junior year.

    2. Service: Christian community service recorded with the Columbus service coordinator by the end of the first semester of the year in consideration. It is a student’s responsibility to verify with the Christian Service Coordinator deadlines for submitting service hours that will be credited for the Fall semester.
    Sophomores: 25 hours
    Juniors: 50 hours

    3. Character/Leadership: 3 recommendation forms from 3 teachers or 2 teachers and a club moderator and/or a coach and/or a guidance counselor and/or an administrator currently employed at Christopher Columbus High School. These should attest to a student’s character and integrity: self-motivation/initiative, leadership, willingness to do service and exemplary conduct.
     
    Upon verification of the academic and service criteria, a letter of eligibility will be sent to the students which will include the
    recommendation forms and deadlines for their submission to the NHS Adviser. Students should print the forms and submit them to the teacher/coach/moderator/counselor/administrator. It is the students’ responsibility to ascertain if the forms have been turned in by the deadline. They may email the adviser to verify the submissions.

    Failure to turn in the recommendation forms by the deadline may disqualify the student for membership.
     
    Once the recommendation forms are reviewed, students will receive an invitation in writing regarding their candidacy to NHS. The invitation will be accompanied by a 'Letter of Agreement' (contract). Students must submit a printed and signed “Letter of Agreement” to the adviser by the deadline on the invitation. The “Letter of Agreement” is signed in the presence of the Advisor.

    Failure to turn in the “Letter of Agreement” by the deadline may disqualify the student for membership.
     
    Transfer Students:
    Students may be considered eligible after completing 2 semesters at Christopher Columbus High School and meeting CCHS chapter requirements as per the guidelines above. Please note, neither rising seniors nor seniors are eligible for membership.

    Students previously inducted at another high school may be accepted as members of the Br. Edmund Sheehan Chapter/Columbus by obtaining a letter of confirmation of membership in good standing from the chapter adviser of their previous school. However, students must maintain the Br. Edmund Sheehan Chapter/Columbus standards to earn wearing the NHS stole at graduation.

    Membership:
    Members of the National Honor Society are expected to maintain academic standards and service requirements, as well as demonstrate exemplary moral character throughout their tenure as members.

    Members are expected to attend all mandatory general NHS meetings as well as to participate in a minimum of 15 hours
    of NHS-sponsored community service activities each year of membership, especially engaging in peer tutoring. Only the
    NHS Adviser may waive part or all the 15 hours service requirement. Only the NHS Adviser may approve/accept service hours from other Columbus honor societies in lieu of the NHS service requirements.

    No student may hold office in the National Honor Society if he is an officer of any other honor society at Columbus.

    The advisor or an NHS officer will notify students of probationary status or expulsion if the student fails to maintain any of the standards and/or requirements of NHS membership. Seniors who fail to meet the conditions of probation or who are expelled from NHS will not be permitted to wear the NHS stole at the Columbus graduation ceremony.
  • National Art Honor Society

    Moderator: 
    Gabriel Gomez - ggomez@columbushs.com 
     
    Purpose of the National Art Honor Society:
    The National Art Honor Society was established in 1978 in the United States by the National Art Education Association for high school students grades 10-12, for "the purpose of inspiring and recognizing those students who have shown an outstanding ability in art" from the National Art Honor Society website.

    General Eligibility Requirements:
    Students must have completed at least one semester of art in the school, and have a minimum art GPA of “B” to be eligible for membership. Membership is based upon art scholarship, service, and character.
     
  • National Business Honor Society

    Moderator:
    Abraham Berch - aberch@columbushs.com

    Purpose of the National Honor Society:

    The National Business Honor Society is a division of the National Business Education Association. NBEA is committed to the advancement of the professional interest and competence of its members and provides programs and services that enhance members' professional growth and development. Further, NBEA serves as a unifying agency among other groups dedicated to advancing and improving business education.

    NBEA provides the vital link between both the private and public sector. NBEA gives business educators an opportunity to stay on top of the changing skills required in today's business world through its linkages with corporations and small businesses. In addition, NBEA's Legislative Advocacy Committee keeps members involved with the ongoing national, state, and local efforts to further business education in our schools and communities.
  • National English Honor Society, Panzer Division

    Moderator:  
    Keith Crossman - kcrossman@columbushs.com


    Purpose of the National English Honor Society:
    The purpose of the NEHS is to recognize students who have excelled in at least 2 years of English and to provide a venue for service within the discipline. National recognition, scholarship eligibility, and opportunities for national networking with others who share enthusiasm for, and accomplishment in, the language arts are potential benefits for active members. The Panzer Division of the NEHS, provides much of its service through tutoring composition to underclassmen in our CCHS Writing Lab.

    Selection Process:
    Juniors may be invited to apply for the NEHS at Christopher Columbus High School. They are admitted to candidacy only if they have met the following minimum requirements:
    1. Students have taken Honors English both freshman and sophomore year, and are now Juniors taking either Honors or AP English Language & Composition.
    2. Students have maintained a cumulative 3.5 unweighted GPA in English
    3. Students will either enroll in or be recommended for enrollment in AP English Literature and Composition senior year
    4. Students have had two former teacher recommendation forms completed, attesting to the character and integrity of the applicant
    Failure to turn in the recommendation forms by the deadline will disqualify the student for membership.

    Once the recommendation forms are reviewed, students eligible for membership will receive in writing an invitation to NEHS accompanied by a "Letter of Agreement". Students must submit a printed and signed “Letter of Agreement” to the adviser by the deadline on the form, including the payment of dues. NEHS dues consist of a one-time, non-refundable $25 fee which covers national membership dues, official credentials, pins for the induction ceremony, and official cords for graduation.

    Failure to turn in the “Letter of Agreement” and payment in full by the deadline will disqualify the student for membership.

    Membership:
    Members of the National English Honor Society are expected to maintain a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative unweighted GPA and exemplary moral character. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings and to participate in a minimum of 25 hours of NEHS sponsored tutoring in the CCHS Writing Lab by January of senior year. Students are also required to read one common novel over the summer, and submit a related essay for a scholarship in January of senior year. Official induction will occur at the Pinning Ceremony in late January of senior year.

    Letters of probationary status or expulsion will be sent to students who fail to maintain the standards of NEHS membership. 
  • National French Honor Society

    Moderator:
    Estelle Vessiere - evessiere@columbushs.com

    Purpose of the French Club/French Honor Society:
    The Société Honoraire de Français was founded at the national level in 1949 under the auspices of the American Association of Teachers of French. There are currently over 1500 active chapters across the country and in American schools abroad. The goal of the Society is to promote and recognize outstanding scholarship in the French classroom. These students are entitled to wear a blue/white/red cord at graduation ceremonies and the placement of a special seal on their diplomas.

    General Eligibility Requirements:
    • To be eligible, candidates must be recommended by their teacher at the intermediate or advanced level after completing four semesters of the language, or be currently in French 3 Honors or above.
    • In addition, candidates must maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.5 average or higher in the language
    • He should also receive the endorsement of two teachers who can vouch for his character, leadership, seriousness of purpose, cooperation, honesty, service and commitment to others.
    Membership:
    • Members of the Société Honoraire de Français are expected to maintain academic standards and service requirements, as well as demonstrate exemplary moral character throughout their tenure as members.
    • Members are expected to attend all regular meetings, participate in the activities, and earn a minimum of 15 service hours in the Society.
      Community service may include peer tutoring in French, preparing/participating or sponsoring various cultural, service oriented projects that promote interest in the study and appreciation of the French language within the community (French Week, Elective Fair, etc.), assisting the NHS (Blood drive, Halloween or Christmas events, etc.)
    • No student may hold office in the Société Honoraire de Français if he is an officer of any other honor society at Columbus. 

    • National Math Honor Society

      Moderator:
      Carlos Moro - cmoro@columbushs.com

      Purpose of the Math Honor Society (Mu Alpha Theta):
      The purpose of the Math Honor Society (Mu Alpha Theta) is to recognize students who have excelled in at least two years of Mathematics and to provide a venue for service in within the discipline. National recognition, scholarship eligibility, and opportunities for national networking with others who share enthusiasm for, and accomplishment in, Mathematics are potential benefits for active members. The Math Honor Society members provide much of its service through free peer math tutoring.

      Selection Process
      Sophomores, juniors and seniors may be invited to apply for the Math Honor Society at Christopher Columbus High School. They are admitted to candidacy only if they have met the following minimum requirements:
      1. Students have successfully completed Honors mathematics classes freshman, sophomore and junior year.
      2. Students have maintained a cumulative 3.5 unweighted overall GPA.
      3. Students have maintained a cumulative 3.75 unweighted GPA in math classes.
      4. Students will either enroll in or be recommended for enrollment in AP Calculus or AP Statistics senior year.
      5. Students have had former and current teacher recommendation forms completed, attesting to the character and integrity of the applicant.
      Failure to turn in the recommendation forms by the deadline will disqualify the student for membership.

      Once the recommendation forms are reviewed, students eligible for membership will receive in writing an invitation to the Math Honor Society accompanied by a "Letter of Agreement". Students must submit a printed and signed “Letter of Agreement” to the adviser by the deadline on the form, including the payment of dues. The Math Honor Society dues consist of a one-time, non-refundable $25 fee, in addition to a $15 fee, every year thereafter. The chapter membership dues cover the national membership dues, official credentials, pins for the induction ceremony, and official cords for graduation. 

      Failure to turn in the “Letter of Agreement” and payment in full by the deadline will disqualify the student for membership.

      Membership
      Members of the Math Honor Society are expected to maintain a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative unweighted GPA and exemplary moral character. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings and to participate in a minimum of 25 hours per calendar school year, of Math Honor Society sponsored tutoring, which is held Monday through Thursday, after school. Students are also required to read one common novel over the summer, and submit a related essay for a scholarship in January of senior year. Official induction will occur at the Pinning Ceremony in late January.

      Letters of probationary status or expulsion will be sent to students who fail to maintain the standards of Math Honor Society membership.
    • National Science Honor Society

      Moderator: 
      Ludwig Baez - lbaez@columbushs.com
       
      Purpose of the Science National Honor Society:
      NSHS is a prominent national scientific organization that will engender a new group of young thinkers who will be the future of industry, research and scientific exploration for America.

      General Eligibility Requirements:  
      • Juniors and Seniors who have maintained a 3.5 grade point average both overall and in science are eligible
      • A member must be enrolled in at least one honors or AP science class during or prior to the 11th grade.
      • A member must be enrolled in at least one honors or AP science class during the current year 11th or 12th grade year.
      • Members must attend 80% of the meetings during a school year.
      ****Further requirements are described in the NSHS Constitution and Bylaws
    • National STEM Honor Society

      Eligibility requirements:
      The National STEM Honor Society™ (NSTEM™) has established minimum annual (past 12 months) requirements for student members as follows: 
      • GPA (STEM Classes Only)  3.0 on a 4.0 scale
      • Classroom STEM Hours (Annual) 360
      • Enrichment Hours (Annual) 120
      GPA in STEM Classes Only: Student members must maintain an average grade of 85 or a B, 3.0 on a 4.0 score, or equivalent standard of excellence as per the latest grading period in all STEM courses. The Chapter Advisor determines which classes qualify for STEM classroom hours. There are no grade minimums on non-STEM courses. A Chapter may require a higher level of academic performance in STEM disciplines.
       
      Classroom STEM Hours (Annual): The student must complete the minimum number of classroom STEM hours based upon the previous 12 months . A student who has not yet completed the required number of classroom STEM hours can join NSTEM as a provisional member while working toward meeting the requirements for full membership.

      Enrichment Hours (Annual): The student must complete the minimum number of required hours based upon the previous 12 months in enrichment activities to remain an active member of their Chapter. Members must participate in the required STEM-related extracurricular enrichment activities. We believe enrichment hours should emphasize Project Based Learning (PBL) designed to increase a student’s excitement, knowledge of and engagement in STEM related topics. A student who has not yet completed the required number of enrichment hours can join NSTEM as a provisional member while working toward meeting the requirements for full membership. 
       
    • Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society

      Moderator:
      Christina Insua - cinsua@columbushs.com

      Purpose of the Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society:
      Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists was organized April 10, 1926, at the University of Iowa by renowned pollster George H. Gallup and a group of high school advisers for the purpose of encoura must be of sophomore, junior or senior classification
      • Students must have the equivalent of a 3.0 grade point average, or be in the upper third of their class in general scholastic standing, either for the year of their election or for the cumulative total of all high school work
      • They must have done superior work in some phase of journalism or school media work. They may be staffers of a magazine, newspaper, yearbook, news organization, online site or radio/television station at the school, or one conducted by an external organization AND have a minimum of TWO published submissions in their publication per school year
      • They must be recommended by the supervisor or by the committee governing the media
      • They must be approved by the Quill and Scroll Executive Director
    • Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society

      Moderator: 
      Mary T. McCullagh - 
      mmccullagh@columbushs.com

      Purpose of the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society:
      Rho Kappa is the honor society recognizing student achievement and excellence in the discipline of social studies at the high school level. Rho Kappa is open to juniors and seniors who meet the entrance criteria. Our name, RHO KAPPA, is taken from two words of semitic origin. RHO is derived from "resh" meaning "head" and KAPPA is derived from "kapf" which means "palm of the hand." Both these terms symbolize our firm belief that knowledge, without service, is useless. 

      General Eligibility Requirements:
      Rho Kappa is open to students of all grade levels who are interested in history and service. Any student who is interested in joining should attend a meeting. 
    • Spanish Honor Society

      Moderator: 
      Dr. Ausenda Folch - afolch@columbushs.com

      Purpose of the Spanish Honor Society:
      The mission of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is to recognize high school achievement in Spanish and to promote interest in Hispanic studies.

      General Eligibility Requirements:
      • To be eligible for membership to the school’s Pablo Casals Chapter, the student must be recommended by his teacher at the intermediate or advanced level after completing three semesters of the language
      • Students must maintain an overall unweighted GPA of 3.5 and an unweighted GPA of 3.5 in Spanish
      • The student must also receive the endorsement of three (3) other teachers who can vouch for his character, leadership, seriousness of purpose, cooperation, honesty, service and commitment to others
      • Lastly, the student must earn a minimum of 15 service hours of service per year
      • Members are expected to attend all regular meetings and  participate in the activities. Meetings are held several times per year for about 15-20 minutes. The activities may include presentations by guest speakers, participating or sponsoring various cultural, service oriented projects that promote interest in the study and appreciation of the Spanish language and its speakers
      • No student may hold office in the Spanish Honor Society if he is an officer of any other Honor Society at Columbus
      • Students who fail to earn a minimum of 15 service hours of service will not be permitted to wear the SHS cord at the Columbus graduation ceremony.
    • STN Honor Society

      Moderator:
      Omar Delgado - odelgado@columbushs.com 

      Purpose of the STN Honor Society:
      The STN Honor Society was established to recognize the accomplishments
      of outstanding students enrolled in STN programs. 

      General Eligibility Requirements:
      • Students must be in their junior or senior year to qualify (see Mr.Delgado for exact date for application submissions)
      • Applicants are required to have a 3.5 cumulative GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)
      • Applicants must have previously participated in one of the following STN activities:
        • STN convention
        • STN contest
        • STN Volunteer
        • Other event
      • Students must have a letter of recommendation from their adviser/teacher written on school letterhead
      • Students must have a transcript from the school verifying their grade point average
      • Students’ class must be enrolled in a current STN affiliate member program
      • Students must have completed one community service project related to video
    • International Robotics Honor Society

      Eligibility requirements:
      Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class.

      To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at Christopher Columbus High School.

      Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 

      Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their commitment to robotics competitions, service, leadership, and character. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities by:
      • Participation in robotics at the school, district, and national levels
      • Demonstrate academic excellence in the STEM fields
      • Demonstrate evidence of character development
      • Participation in service opportunities
      • Encourage the participation of other students in robotics programs
    • International Thespian Honor Society

      Moderator:
       
      Purpose of the International Thespian Honor Society:
      The International Thespian Honor Society is recognized worldwide as an honor society for theater students. It recognizes student achievement in the performing arts as well as continues to educate students through theater. Over 2.2 million students have been inducted since it was founded in 1929 (edta.org). Benefits include professional networking, development opportunities, access to resources in the performing arts, and being part of a community which strives to educate the public about the necessity of theater in life. Students also receive a monthly subscription to Dramatics, a performing arts magazine for theater students. Students receive thespian honor cords at graduation and can also work their way up in the society to receive higher rankings.
       
      General Eligibility Requirements:
      Students must be active members of Columbus theater and participate in at least two full-length Columbus productions (or the equivalent of the former) and receive at least 10 thespian points as outlined in the EDTA guide (corresponding to the individual troupe guide). Both are necessary in order to be considered for induction. Students must also be in good standing with the troupe as well as the school. Final decisions are made by the troupe director. As per the Educational Theater Association (EDTA), EDTA reserves the right to refuse membership to any individual believed not to be in compliance with the regulations or the policies of EDTA.
    • Tri-M Music Honor Society

      Moderator:
      Keith Cooper – kcooper@columbushs.com
       
      Purpose of the Tri-M Music Honor Society®:
      The Tri-M Music Honor Society®  focuses on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy. Tri-M® is the only national honor society for student musicians in grades 6-12. There are more than 1,800 chapters across all 50 states, involving more than 75,000 students.
       
      Each year, these students contribute more than 750,000 service hours to their schools and local communities, and raise nearly $1 million for causes they care about. NAfME awards more than $4,500 in scholarships each year to chapters that demonstrate exceptional service and leadership.
       
      General Eligibility Requirements:
      Music Participation
      • Candidates must have been enrolled in a school-sponsored music ensemble and/or class for at least one semester of the current school year.
      Academic Achievement
      • Candidates must have maintained for the previous semester at least a 3.0 average in music, with at least a cumulative 2.0 average grade or equivalent in other academic subjects.
      Leadership
      • This criteria is at your discretion as advisor. Generally speaking any school or community activity that students are actively involved in will suffice.
      Service
      • Similar to leadership, this criteria is at your discretion as advisor. Service activities include any actions undertaken by the student that are done with or on behalf of others without any direct financial or material compensation to the individual performing the service.
      Character
      • Judgment of character should be free of speculation and rumor. One description of character is a person who demonstrates respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Chapters are encouraged to take this model and modify it to meet their local needs.

    CCHS Honor Societies

    Christopher Columbus High School | 3000 SW 87 Avenue | Miami, FL 33165 | (305) 223-5650
    Brotherhood, Faith, and Scholarship define the Marist Brothers Catholic education at Christopher Columbus High School.  By making Jesus Christ known and loved and creating an inspiring academic and extracurricular environment, we prepare young men for higher learning and a life-long commitment to leadership and service through Gospel and Marist values.

    Columbus is fully accredited by Cognia and is a member of the Marist Association of Secondary schools, the National Catholic Education Association and the Independent Schools of South Florida.