What is the Chapter Pillar Award?

The Chapter Pillar Award is a national recognition program created by NHS and NJHS to honor chapters that demonstrate outstanding achievement in one or more of the organization’s core pillars: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. This award celebrates chapters that go beyond meeting basic requirements by creating impactful programs and initiatives that reflect these values. Unlike scholarships and other recongitions with limited winners, all chapters that meet the established criteria for its chosen pillar will receive the corresponding award. Chapters that excel in all four pillars may be eligible for the Overall Excellence Award, the highest level of recognition.

Why Step Into the Spotlight? 

Recognition: Get some well-deserved applause for your chapter’s hard work. 

Engagement: Show off how you’re embracing the core values of NJHS or NHS. 

Collaboration: Share your success and pick up new ideas from peers. 

Impact: Showcase the great ways your chapter influences your school and community. 

The application period has closed. Awards were announced in September 2025.

3 Steps to Apply

SPO Application Icons_-8-Pillar Awards Review Rubric

Step 1
Review the NHS Pillar Awards of Excellence Rubric with Your Chapter

SPO Application Icons_-9-Pillar Awards Complete Nomination

Step 2
Complete the SurveyMonkey Nomination

SPO Application Icons_-10-Pillar Awards Submit Online Application

Step 3
Submit the Online Application

Perks for Winners:

  • A personalized congratulations letter from NJHS or NHS

  • A printable certificate for bragging rights

  • A digital badge for your school’s website

  • A press release template to make headlines in your local media

  • A social media tool kit to spread the word far and wide

Timeline:

  • 2026 Awards Open: Monday, April 20, 2026

  • Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026

  • Awards Announced: Friday, September 25, 2026

Awards Available

Scholarship Award of Excellence: Granted to chapters exhibiting commitment and actions towards academic success within the chapter and the broader school population. 

Leadership Award of Excellence: Granted to chapters nurturing potential leaders, offering growth opportunities, and inspiring students to drive positive change. 

Service Award of Excellence: Granted to chapters making a significant imprint on their community through service projects and activities which demonstrate a selfless spirit. 

Character Award of Excellence: Granted to chapters upholding NJHS or NHS values, and positively impacting the larger school community on behavior, responsibility, and other societal virtues.  

Award of Overall Excellence: Granted to chapters who are transforming their schools through all four pillars of National Junior Honor Society or National Honor Society. 

Nomination Process:

  • Nominate Your Chapter Here
    • 2025 Awards Open: April 21, 2025
  • Criteria
    • Active chapter membership during both the nomination year (2024–2025) and the award year (2025–2026)
    • Complete all sections of the nomination form
  • What You Need
    • Fill in the basics about your chapter, describe your standout achievements, and detail the impact of your key initiatives using this self-reflection rubric.
    • Meet with your NJHS or NHS officers and review the NJHS and NHS Chapter Pillar Award of Excellence Rubric.
    • Reflect on the chapter’s work during the 2024–2025 school year in each of the pillars and do a self-rating in each area on a scale of establishing (lowest), developing, impacting, or transforming (highest).
      • If the chapter is “establishing” or “developing” in all pillars, use the rubric to guide the chapter’s growth next year to prepare for nomination of your chapter for an Award of Excellence next school year.
      • If there are pillars where your chapter is “impacting” or “transforming,” you may nominate your chapter for an Award of Excellence in that pillar. You will go here to complete your nomination when they open on April 21, 2025. A chapter can only self-nominate for one award.
      • If the self-rating shows your chapter is “impacting” or “transforming” in every pillar, consider nominating the chapter for the NJHS or NHS Chapter Pillar Award of Overall Excellence.
    • Prepare responses for the nomination, referring to this pdf. The following must review and sign off on the nomination:
      • NJHS or NHS adviser
      • Two NJHS or NHS student members
      • School administrator
    • Complete SurveyMonkey nomination.
    • Submit nomination by Friday, May 30, 2025.
The application period has closed. Awards were announced in September 2025.

Questions?