The first scholarship honor society (Phi Beta Sigma) was founded in 1900 by Dr. Wm. B. Owen when he was principal of the old South Side Academy of Chicago. After theworth of this society had been proved, many other non-secret societies were organized for the recognition of scholarship. In many instances the schools of a certain type have united and agreed upon the same standard of scholarship and similar methods of recognition for the entire group of schools. Thus the honor society had its birth.

At a meeting of the National Association of Secondary -School Prinipals in 1919, J. G. Masters of Omaha, was appointed chairman of the committee on a national honor society. The association favored the formation of a National honor society and authorized the president to appoint a committee on constitution and organization, which drew up the constitution of the organization. Authority is vested in a national council of nine members.

The four objectives, scholarship, leadership, character, and service, are not the only ones but they do include many of the things tor which the secondary schools stand. While scholarship is one requisite, it is not the only objective of the National Honor Society.  Service is interpreted as: A wllingness to render cheerfully and enthusiastically any service to the school - whenever called upon. Leadership is interpreted to mean: Exerting a type of leadership which actively and
wholesomely influences toward a fine leadership. A student may gain recognition in character by: Constantly demonstrating such qualities of personality, honesty, reliability, promptness, achievement, and morality as are indispensable to the finest young manhood and womanhood.
A student must rank in the upper third of his class to be selected by the faculty as a member of the National Honor Society.