Honor Societies

National Honor Society

Membership in the National Honor Society is a faculty-awarded honor presented to those students who have exemplified outstanding character, academic achievement, leadership, and service. The NHS digital application will be available for Juniors and Seniors when school resumes in August. Please read all pertinent information carefully BEFORE completing the digital application. Once the application is submitted, it cannot be retrieved or changed.

What is the application process?

Requirements for membership in this honor society are rigorous, as the student must excel in the mandated areas of character, leadership, and service, as well as maintain a cumulative academic GPA of 3.5 or above with five or fewer demerits in each academic year and no incidences of academic dishonesty in the student’s junior or senior year. GPA and disciplinary records are verified by the NHS advisors. Not all students are awarded membership into NHS the first time their achievements are reviewed; some must continue to work on one area or another, most often the areas of leadership and service.

DOWNLOAD IMPORTANT NOTES AND FAQS BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE APPLICATION

Please read through the following procedures and FAQ's for information regarding membership in NHS. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail Mr. Mark Van Ness, the NHS Advisor.

The application for membership for 2023-2024 will be available at 8:00 A.M on Monday, August 21, 2023 and will close on Monday, September 14, 2023 at 3:00 P.M.

Current Seniors who were inducted into NHS last year do not need to re-apply.

Click Here to Apply

California Scholarship Federation (CSF)

CSF is an academic honors organization comprised of students who have met the CSF grade requirements (see application). Eligibility is determined by the student’s grades from his or her most recent high school semester report card. Members will not only receive academic recognition at SMCHS, but colleges and universities also tend to look favorably on CSF membership when reviewing applications. The 2023-2024 school year will be the first year where an executive board will be established to get students more involved with CSF.

Seniors may achieve Life Membership (Sealbearer status at graduation) if they have been a member of CSF for four semesters during second semester of sophomore year through second semester of senior year. A senior must qualify for second semester of senior year even if they have four prior semesters of membership because one semester must be based on grades earned in the senior year. A senior needing one additional semester to qualify for Sealbearer may use final grades in the last semester of senior year if they qualify and complete a CSF application in May/June.

When you apply, you must use your SMCHS email. Please assume that you will be accepted after you apply. You will only receive an email or update if you did not meet the requirements.

Note: Current 9th graders may apply for the Spring CSF Application period based on their first semester grades.

STEPS TO APPLY:

Fall Application Period
The fall application period runs from September 13-27, 2023. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply using grades from Spring 2023. Please follow these steps:

Download the course grid:
Download Grid
Print the grid, fill it out and make sure to put your name on it.
Begin filling out the application:
APPLICATION
Upload the completed grid during the application process:

Please email Ms. Hester with questions.

Important Guidelines and Course List

Guidelines and Course List

Guidelines and Course List

To qualify for CSF membership this semester, follow these guidelines:

A student must have taken a minimum of three (3) courses from LISTS I and II; at least two (2) of these three courses must be from LIST I only. (However, seniors applying at the start of their second semester or at graduation may use three (3) courses from LIST II and none from LIST I.) Additional courses may be taken from any LIST, including LIST III. A student is limited to a maximum of five courses (25 credits) for the computation of CSF eligibility.
You must earn a minimum of 10 points from last semester’s grades. a. The first 4 points must be from LIST I (unless you are a senior applying for membership in January or May). b. The first 7 points (including the four points described in “a”) must be from LISTS I and II. c. The remaining points may come from any LIST (I, II or III).
You must use no more than 5 courses to qualify.
No CSF points are given for physical education, courses taken in lieu of physical education, subjects repeated to improve a grade, courses involving clerking and office/teaching assisting, and courses taken on a pass/fail basis.
CSF points are granted as follows:
1. A grade of ‘A’ = 3 CSF points
2. A grade of ‘B’ = 1 CSF point. One additional point shall be granted for a grade of ‘A’ or ‘B’ in an AP, IB, or Honors course on Lists I, II and III, up to a maximum of two such points per semester. College courses do not earn an extra point.
3. A grade of ‘C’ = O points
4. A grade of ‘D’ or ‘F’ in any course, even in one you cannot use to qualify, disqualifies you from membership at this time.

Also remember:

Semester membership is based on work done in the previous semester. (Any courses taken in the summer may not be used)
You must reapply each semester – membership is not automatic. Student dues are not required for CSF membership.
To be awarded the status of Sealbearer or Life Member, students must be a member for four of their last six semesters – for grades earned in 10, 11 and 12. At least ONE semester MUST be the second semester of the senior year.
Use Approved CSF Course Lists (Lists I, II and III) as provided by CSF Adviser.

Download Course List Here

International Thespian Society

The International Thespian Society is the only organization recognized by colleges and universities to honor high school students for outstanding work in theatre. Santa Margarita Catholic High School is home to Thespian Troupe #5524. Membership gives students incentives to participate in theatre activities and can be an important factor in gaining admission to a quality theatre program at the university level. Students earn points toward membership and levels of recognition. Talon Thespians have the opportunity to attend the state and international festivals and compete in various individual events.

Accolades
How to become a Talon Theatre Thespian

Accolades

These recognitions are the cumulative effect of the combined effort of every thespian board and president since Troupe # 5524 was reactivated in the fall of 2010. Since that time, over 100 students have been inducted into Troupe #5524 with students attending the International Thespian Festival and the California State Festival annually.

Recognized at the California State Festival as the 2016 California State Honor Troupe. Honor troupe designation is similar to being identified as a “Blue Ribbon” School for participation in local, state, and national levels and for excellence in theatre.
In 2014, SMCHS was represented at the California Youth in Theatre Day in Sacramento where then Thespian President Joanna Pisano delivered her first place award-winning essay about the importance of educational theatre.
Performed at the International Thespian Festival in the Chapter Select Showcase in 2013 with “The Miracle Worker.”
Numerous students have competed in the National Individual Event Showcase in acting, musical theatre, technical theatre and design by achieving superior ratings at the state festival.
In 2015, Tyler Cotner won first place in sound design at the International Thespian Festival.
Many students have received sizeable scholarships from the Educational Theatre Association and state thespians and have gone on to study at some of the top theatre programs in the country.
After a lengthy and competitive interview process, students Ethan Diaz '23 and Delaney Jenkins '22 are named 2021-2022 state thespian officers. Their leadership positions included extensive educational theatre advocacy work. At the national level, six Talon Theatre students achieved superior ratings at the International Thespian Excellence Awards, known as Thespys.

How to become a Talon Theatre Thespian

Inductees must earn 10 points, 5 of which must be earned through Talon Theatre. Refer to the thespian point award category sheet and fill out the sheet. Students must have participated in at least two Talon productions to be inducted. The deadline for inductions is quarterly.

Questions?
Contact Talon Theatre Artistic Director Ms. Kennedy Kemmerer '19 at theatre@smhs.org.

National Art Honor Society

The National Honor Society (NAHS) is designed specifically for high school students in grades 9-12. In 1978, the National Art Educator Association began the National Art Honor Society program to inspire and recognize students who have shown an outstanding ability and interest in art. The NAHS strives to aid members in attaining the highest standards in art scholarship, character and service, and to bring art education to the attention of the school and community. Seniors are recognized at graduation with honors cords.

Learn More and Apply

Questions?
Contact Visual Arts Community Outreach Coordinator Nancy Harrell at harrelln@smhs.org

The Tri-M Music Honor Society Membership

The Tri-M® Music Honor Society is a program of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), which focuses on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy. Tri-M is the only music honor society for junior/middle school and high school students in the country and it recognizes students that have gone above and beyond both academically and musically.

Tri-M also provides students leadership opportunities to make a difference in their community through music-based service projects. Each year, student members contribute more than 750,000 service hours to their school and local communities and raise nearly $1 million for causes they care about.

Tri M Application
Tri M Officer Application

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