1927 article offers historic context of NHS

     We notice in an article in this issue of the Arcturus that Caribou High School has joined the National Honor Society thereby preparing to honor those students who take part in scholastic activities.

     Caribou High School has honored her athletes by the granting of letters, but many students have come to high school and take part in scholastic activities such as writing for the school year or taking part in the school plays, and at the same time kept their ranks high, but have left high school with their work unrecognized because there was no way by which the high school could honor them. This condition will not exist any longer as the National Honorary Society provides that 15 percent of the students who graduate from high school may receive honors for putting their best into the school paper, or a play, or debating, or any other school activity.

     These honors are awarded during the junior and senior years but freshmen and sophomores should start work immediately if they wish to receive them as a total of four years in high school is considered in the granting of honors.

     “But” someone may ask, “how am I to take part in school activities when there is no chance for me!” There is a chance for every student in high school to take part in something if he will try. For example, there are no less than 22 positions on the Arcturus staff open at the beginning of each year to students who show that they are capable of filling them; any member of Caribou High School can join the debating club; and those who are interested in music can play in the high school band or orchestra. Besides these there are the class, General Assembly, and Athletic Association offices open to any boy or girl who will try for them.

      So our advice to you is to step in and take your part in these activities; they are for you and you will find your high school life has a deeper meaning. If you do your part also you will place yourself in line for one of the coveted honors of the National Honorary Society.

     Editor’s note: Philip Kierstead, a member of Caribou High School’s graduating class of 1927 and one of the school’s first NHS inductees, wrote this article for his school newspaper, the Arcturus.