Centerville Jr. High School

National Junior Honor Society

Student Handbook

Donna Bodine, NJHS Chapter Adviser

2018-2019

Adopted by Faculty Council

Amended:

January 2018

May 2018

This Handbook belongs to:

___________________________________________

Centerville Jr. High School

National Junior Honor Society

Table of Contents:

Meeting & Service Schedule………………………………………………………………………………………………….1

2016-2017 NJHS Charter Member & Current Member Roster………….…………………………………..2

NJHS Motto & Colors…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… .3

Selection Procedures…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4-5

Maintaining Membership……………………………………………………………………………………………………..6-7

Five Constitutional Obligations of NJHS Members………………………………………………………………..8

How to Be a Good Chapter Member…………………………………………………………………………………….9-10

Officer Descriptions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….11-13

Officer Installation Ceremony……………………………………………………………………………………………..14-15

NJHS Leadership Code of Ethics Contract…..…………………………………………………………………………16-17

NJHS Constitution……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….18-22

Centerville NJHS Bylaws………………………………………………………………………………………………………23-32

NJHS Service Hour Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………..33-35

Box Tops Program Info…………………………………………………………………………………………………………36

Meeting & Service Schedule

Tentative Schedule (*Dates Subject to Change)

August September October 27-NJHS Member Meeting 10-Leadership Class 14-21 “Say Something Week”

TBA-Touchdown for Teachers TBA-Touchdown for Teachers 15-Leadership Class

17-21-NJHS Committee Prep for TBA-Touchdown for Teachers

“Say SomethingWeek”

November December January 12-Leadership Class 10-Leadership Class 14-Leadership Class

12-16-Thks Meal @ Nursing home 17-Mid-Year Service Hour 28-NJHS Member Meeting

TBA-Touchdown for Teachers Forms Due

26-NJHS Member Meeting

February March April 5 or 12-NJHS/NHS Inductions 18-Leadership Class (C &N) 14-21-Nat’l Ldrship Week

11-Leadership Class (C) 19-23 Yth Violence Prevention Wk 15-Leadership Class (C&N)

25-Leadership Class (N) 25-Leadershp Class (N) 23-Leadership Class (N)

28-Outstanding Achievement Apps TBA-Spring NJHS Service Project

Due

May 6-Leadership Class (N)

6-10--*Teacher Appreciation Week 6

13-Leadership Class (C&N)

14-Leadership Class (N)

17-New Inductees & Current Members updated Resume’s Due

17-NJHS Member Meeting

Other Dates:

LEAD CONFERENCE: TBA

NJHS STATE SUMMITT-Connecticut-September 2018

TBA-Touchdown for Teachers-Every Friday Night –Home

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2017 Charter Member Roster

Centerville Jr. High School – NJHS

7th Grade: 8th Grade

James Bodine Montana Brown

Trista Brown Kinsey Hardee

Dylan Ford Makayla Hill

Olivia Hastings Quentin Parrish

Sully Hill Kaede Thomas

Kasen Jeitz Emily Wager

Morgan Richardson Rebekah Williams

Kyrstyn Stevens Kayla Wilson

Shania West

2018 Inductees

7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade

Maddie Cadenhead Bryanna Brown Aeryn Craft

Caraline Dudley Alexis Darsee Caralen Doak

Dayne Hill Mariana Skriver Brittany Gonzales

Samantha Gillespie Sarah Sanchez

Jennifer Gonzales Adam Spece

Koylin Largent

Lexani Robinson

Alex Rodell

Jaclyn Thomas

Rebecca Wilson

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Official Insignia:

NJHS Motto: Light is the symbol of truth

NJHS Official Colors: Blue & White

NJHS Official Flower: White Rose

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Selection Procedures

NJHS Membership Information Membership to the National Junior Honor Society is for 7th – 9th graders at Centerville Jr. High School who meet the

qualifications provided below. Student eligibility is reviewed in the spring (7-9) and induction takes place at the end of January

or early February of that academic year. Students who meet the qualifications will be notified of their eligibility.

Selection Procedures: 1. Student academic record reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility of 90%.

2. Recommendations of student eligibility will be made to the Jr. High faculty council for review.

3. Students who are eligible scholastically and selected by the Faculty Council will be notified and of their nomination

for the Centerville Jr. High School NJHS Chapter and may complete the student activity information form and packet.

3, Faculty Council will further review, evaluate, & discuss student activity information form and packet.

5. The student activity information form and packet will be reviewed by the faculty council along with any other verifiable

information about each candidate. The faculty council will evaluate each student on leadership, character and

service. The faculty council may wish to interview candidates personally at this time.

6. The CISD National Junior Honor Society Advisor will notify each student who has been selected to the

Centerville National Junior Honor Society.

Eligibility Requirements

Students in grades 7–9 who meet the requirements for membership outlined by their school’s chapter (CISD policy) are eligible

to be invited for membership.

Academic criteria will be evaluated on grades of the current school year. Students must be enrolled in Centerville Jr. High on or

before October 1, 2018 in order to be considered for NJHS membership (first six weeks of school).

Students must maintain an overall average of 90% in all classes during the fiscal school year.

Scholarship

Per CISD guidelines, at a minimum, students must have a cumulative 90% average, or equivalent standard of excellence.

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Service

This involves voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation. Minimum of

30 service hours per year. 6 hours must be fulfilled with Centerville ISD.

Leadership

Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be

drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others. Student must complete all leadership trainings.

Character

The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern,

and respect for others; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.

Citizenship

The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic engagement; has a high regard for freedom and

justice; respects the U.S. form of government; respects the law for all citizens at the local, state, and federal levels; and

demonstrates mature participation and responsibility in activities such as scouting, community organizations, or school clubs.

Understanding the Obligations of Membership

Students who accept membership and are inducted into the chapter should be aware of the time and commitment involved with

this honor. For example, there will be chapter meetings. The chapter bylaws should articulate the yearly meeting schedule and

member attendance obligations. Members also must participate in chapter and individual service projects to benefit the school

and community.

NHS and NJHS

Membership in NJHS does not transfer to NHS. The candidacy and selection for NHS and NJHS are entirely separate for each

organization.

Discipline & Dismissal Procedures

Students may have no discipline referrals during the fiscal school year. Students may not have been assigned to the In-School

Suspension Program (ISS) or DAEP for the fiscal school year. Students may not have been suspended during the fiscal school

year.

Students must be in compliance with the state-mandated 90% attendance rule.

Membership Fees/Due: A membership fee of $20.00 is due no later than 15 days prior to be inducted.

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Maintaining Membership

Obligations of Membership

Membership in NJHS is an honor; in fact, to prove worthy of the honor, members of this

national society must meet the following obligations:

1. Service:

a. Chapter Service Projects-All members participate and promote

the NJHS Group Service Projects. We will have one group project

each semester.

b. Individual Service Projects-All members independently complete

an additional 15 hours each semester or 30 hours for the year.

This service may be completed for a church group, a scout group,

a community volunteer effort, and/or opportunities offered at

Centerville Jr.-Sr. High School or CISD.

2. Scholarship: As an Honor Society, we have high expectations for academic performance.

NJHS members must maintain a 90% average or higher.

3. Leadership: Members of NJHS act as student leaders, providing a positive role model to

other C.J.H. students.

4. Citizenship: All members comply with school rules. Office referrals, detentions, or

suspension for behavior issues are not acceptable for members of NJHS.

5. Character: Members of NJHS strive to develop the following character traits; responsibility,

respect, patience, courage, caring, integrity, self-control, cooperation, and

perspective.

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Further Obligations:

1. Dues: Centerville Junior High School-N.J.H.S. member dues will be $20.00. Members will also purchase a

NJHS logo T-shirt to be worn at service, leadership, etc. events in which they represent NJHS.

2. Meeting Attendance: Members are expected to attend all scheduled membership meetings.

Members who cannot attend a scheduled meeting must provide a written excuse to NJHS

Chapter adviser(s).

When membership obligations are not met:

Students who have been unable to fulfill obligations of our NJHS’ Chapter are notified in writing that they are

on probationary status. Those on probation will have no less than one academic quarter and no more than

one academic semester to demonstrate their ability and willingness to fulfill all obligations of membership in

order to be considered a member in good standing. If they are unable to maintain membership obligations,

the Faculty Council will hold a hearing to consider the student’s dismissal from the Chapter.

Dismissal Hearings provide the probationary member with due process rights. The member may present

reason s/he should be allowed to maintain NJHS membership. If the Faculty Council rules for dismissal from

the Chapter, the student may file a formal, written appeal with the principal asking for reinstatement. The

principal has full authority over all actions and decisions of the Faculty Council on discipline of dismissal of

members.

Resignation of Chapter Membership:

Personal situations may change, and NJHS members could find themselves unable to fulfill the obligations of

NJHS membership. In this situation, members have the option of tendering a letter of resignation instead of

facing a disciplinary hearing and/or dismissal from the Centerville Jr.-Sr. High School Chapter of National Junior

Honor Society. Members are urged to meet with the NJHS sponsor(s) if they feel their situation may warrant

resignation from NJHS; sponsor(s) will work with their probationary members to find ways to remain members

in good standing.

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Five Constitutional Obligations of NJHS Members

• Dues (Article IV, Section 4): Chapters may ask active members to pay annual chapter dues. The

Constitution limits this amount to $20 per student per year. For this amount and any other obligatory

expenses bestowed upon members, the school should be able to provide alternative sources of funding

for those students who are unable to pay. The inability of a member or his/her family to pay should not be a reason for discipline or dismissal of any member. Chapters are not required to charge dues, but once established, members can be required to meet this obligation. • Maintaining standards (Article VIII, Section 1). Once selected, all members are expected to maintain the standards by which they were selected as published in the description of the local selection process. • Meetings (Article XIII, Section 1). Chapters hold meetings and may require members to attend. The meeting schedule should be well publicized. In addition, chapter officers should work closely with the adviser to see that the agenda for all meetings is well thought out and planned. • Chapter Service Project(s) (Article XIV, Sections 1 & 2). All chapters are required to sponsor a chapter service project and all members are expected to participate (Section 2), assuming that the project meets the criteria as outlined in the Constitution (Section 3). • Individual Service Projects(s) (Article XIV, Section 4). In addition to the chapter service project noted above, members are required to perform additional service according to their own talents and interests. The quantity of this service and the degree to which the chapter monitors this activity should be defined in the chapter bylaws. Additional Obligations (Article XVI, Section 2): If additional obligations exist for members of the chapter, such obligations should be spelled out in the local chapter bylaws for all members. It is recommended that a set of these bylaws be presented to each member yearly as a reminder of all member obligations

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How to Be a Good Chapter Member

1. Attend and participate in all chapter meetings. Set a goal of making one positive contribution at each session—even if nothing more than being on time and paying attention to every presenter. 2. Participate in and support all of the chapter’s projects throughout the year, whether these are providing service, raising money, providing leadership and training, or otherwise reaching out to the school or community. 3. Promote service through your individual service project activities and by supporting service activities done by other groups both at school and in the community. 4. If your chapter charges member dues each year, pay them willingly and on time. 5. Assume a leadership role in the chapter, whether running for office, serving as a committee chair, or otherwise volunteering for a specific responsibility at least once each year. One aspect of this leadership is to show respect for other chapter leaders as they undertake their duties and responsibilities. 6. Welcome new members, whether new inductees or transfer members, to help them become an active part of the chapter as quickly as possible. Support their efforts to understand the operations of your chapter by offering explanations where needed and looking out for their best interests. Remember: You are an ambassador for your chapter and for your school. 7. Read and respond to all paperwork or other administrative requests that are shared at chapter meetings and events in a timely and appropriate manner. Adhere to deadlines. 8. Communicate effectively. Share ideas and information about chapter activities whenever possible. Be a strong communicator, whether in your oral or written communications, but also practice good listening skills. 9. Motivate others and yourself to get involved and remain engaged in support of all that your chapter does at school. 10. Be a good citizen at the local, state, national, and global levels. Support and encourage the ongoing use of democratic principles in all aspects of chapter activity. Be fair. 11. Remain engaged as an active member of the chapter and encourage others to be similarly engaged throughout the year. Help all students at school find one activity that they can become involved in to enhance their experience at school.

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12. Be a role model for your peers in the chapter, for other students at school, and for those in the community. Each member represents the Honor Society and retains a responsibility to reflect the values of the organization in all that he or she does. By becoming a strong member of your chapter, you enhance the reputation and effectiveness of your organization. An effective chapter becomes an asset to the school and promotes the creation of a positive school climate. A positive school climate helps all students achieve and learn, helping to achieve the goals of the principal, faculty, and the school system. A strong school builds a strong community and world. It all begins with you. Make the most of your membership in the Honor Society.

By becoming a strong member of your chapter, you enhance the reputation and effectiveness of your organization. An effective chapter becomes an asset to the school and promotes the creation of a positive school climate. A positive school climate helps all students achieve and learn, helping to achieve the goals of the principal, faculty, and the school system. A strong school builds a strong community and world. It all begins with you.

Make the most of your membership in the Honor Society

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Officer Descriptions & Expectations

Leadership development is a lifetime journey, not a brief trip.

Officers may only be elected by the current members of NJHS in

New officers are installed during a ceremony at a chapter meeting or other special event and will follow the Leader Code of

Ethics.

President

The chapter president must maintain a delicate balance between leading and encouraging other officers, members, and

interested students to take on leadership responsibilities. The president’s responsibilities extend beyond the students within the

chapter.

The role of the chapter president must:

Know how to handle many types of situations

Be mature

Be organized with good time management skills

Have sound judgment

Have energy

Be able to work with many different kinds of people and personalities

Have a good relationship with the chapter, faculty, and student body

Vice President

The vice president's primary (and very necessary) role is to serve as the official replacement for the president should the

president fail to function or be unable to fulfill his or her responsibilities.

The vice president, more than any other officer, has the opportunity to be creative in the position beyond the primary job

description. The vice president is the president's closest student adviser and assistant. The vice president and president must

work very closely together to create a productive Honor Society.

In many chapters, the president serves as the point-person—the person out in front of everyone. The vice president serves as the

behind-the-scene person who plans, organizes, schedules, and oversees to make sure the chapter work is done.

To be successful, the vice president needs to

Know how to handle many types of situations

Be mature 11

Be organized with good time management skills

Have sound judgment

Have energy

Be able to work with many different kinds of people and personalities

Have a good relationship with the president, chapter members, committees, and the student body

Secretary

The secretary’s primary responsibility is to keep the official records of chapter business and serve as the official correspondent

for the chapter. The historical memory of the Honor Society on your campus depends on the quality of the secretary’s

performance. The job requires accuracy, neatness, and completeness.

The secretary is expected to:

Be the keeper of the records, designer of the agenda

Be organized

Know nearly everything about every meeting

Be alert to the calendar and the progress of committees

Be knowledgeable about meeting procedures

Spend time planning and organizing the chapter’s work.

Depending upon your chapter and school size, the secretary position may actually be divided into two separate positions –

recording and corresponding secretaries. Middle level chapters, for example, often separate the secretarial duties to distribute

the workload and involve more students. The recording secretary deals with the agenda and minutes of meetings. The

corresponding secretary maintains files, communications, and distribution of materials.

Treasurer

The treasurer's primary responsibility is to keep accurate records of all financial transactions of the chapter and periodically

report a summary of these transactions at meetings.

The treasurer predicts how money will be used in the future and makes concrete suggestions for saving money and increasing

efficiency. To do the job correctly, a treasurer must keep track of all expenditures and add the appropriate transactions to the

account books. The treasurer should be the person concerned with regulating the flow of money, especially when many people

want to spend it.

The treasurer is expected to:

Be the chief financial officer for the chapter

Know about money, accounting, and budgeting

Be called upon to give financial advice

Be able to research and develop cost analyses

Keep accurate records of the chapter's finances

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Money management is a very serious responsibility. For your safety, it must always be done with adult supervision and

assistance and according to the policies of your school so that no student is put in a potentially compromising position with the

handling of money.

A sample treasurer’s report form is offered for your consideration to use.

Historian

The chapter historian’s primary responsibility is to collect and preserve information that provides a clear and concise record of

all chapter activities for the year. This person will be responsible for taking pictures/videos of events and creating a slide show

for the next induction ceremony.

Public Relations Officer

The chapter public relation officer’s primary responsibility is to reside over, collect, and preserve information that provides a

clear and concise record of all chapter activities for the year. This person will be responsible for taking pictures/video of

community service projects, special events, and creating a slide show for the next induction ceremony in connection with the

Historian. This person will actively seek out community service opportunities in the community and report them to the adviser

and the chapter.

Reporter:

The chapter reporter officer shall reside over reporting information to local newspaper and school announcements of events and

activities.

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Officer Installation Ceremony

To assist chapters in implementing a special ceremony to install their officers, the following text presents a sample installation ceremony. Use this as a place to start, expanding the content to add relevance and

importance for your chapter.

Installing Officer: The installation of any group of officers is an important and serious occasion. You have indicated your faith and trust in your elected officers to serve for the coming year. Their service and accomplishments depend largely on your cooperation. Following is as important as leading. In any organization, there comes a time when some must lead and others must follow. The National Junior Honor Society is founded upon the principles of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. In all your undertakings, may you always keep in mind these guiding principles.

A candle’s but a simple thing; It starts with just a bit of string.

Yet dipped and dipped with patient hand, It gathers wax upon the strand

Until, complete and snowy white, It gives at last a lovely light.

(lights candle on table) Life seems so like that bit of string;

Each deed we do a simple thing, Yet day by day if on life’s strand

We work with patient heart and hand It gathers joy, makes dark days bright,

And gives at last a lovely light. Will each retiring officer step forward as your name is called and receive a lighted candle, symbol of the flaming torch of freedom and knowledge, and reminding us to bear forward the searching light of truth and to lead others to follow the light. Lights a candle for each retiring officer and gives it to him or her as the officer’s name is called; president, vice president, etc.) Outgoing officers, you have made the candles which you will pass on to your successors. You have worked with patient care, made dark ways bright. We thank you for a ll your efforts. They have added to the history of this organization. We now ask you to pass your lighted candle to your successor. (Old officers retire.) 14

We welcome the new officers of our chapter. (Reads name and office of each new officer and then continues the installation ceremony.) New officers, you have been duly elected by your peers to assume positions of leadership for our chapter. In accepting these offices you have indicated your willingness to give the best in time and effort to carry out the principles of the National Junior Honor Society. Yours is an important responsibility as well as a privilege. The world today, as never before, needs faithful and efficient leaders, and your chapter is looking to you to lead its members. With this in view, do you pledge your best efforts to these offices you now accept? If so, new officers please respond, “We do.” (Pause while new officers respond.)

Hold high the torch, You did not light its glow.

‘Twas given you from other hands you know. ‘Tis only yours to keep it burning bright,

Yours to pass on when you no more need light; For there are other feet that you must guide And other forms go marching by your side. Some day in turn they’ll lift it high and say,

“I watched another carry it this way.”

May your light blaze forth for a successful year, and at the expiration of your term of office, may it be passed on with the satisfaction that much was accomplished for the welfare of our school and our chapter. Congratulations! (Leads applause.)

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Service Hours: Each member is required to complete at least 30 volunteer service hours once they are inducted

into the National Junior Honor Society. At least 6 of these 30 service hours must be completed for CISD.

Students are responsible for identifying and completing their own service hours that will assist the community

once they have received their official NJHS certificate. Any service opportunities that the sponsors are made

aware of will be notified to the students as soon as possible. Students that are completing service hours must

complete them as a volunteer. (it cannot be a required task for another group or class.) Members must have

their service form present and filled out for the supervisor they are volunteering for ready to sign. Each

volunteer opportunity must have proof through signature on the form provided or through signed & dated letter

attached from the adult supervisor they are volunteering for.

Examples that do not qualify as service hours: Babysitting, Cleaning Bedroom, Completing chores, Working

for family member while he/she works i.e. Filing papers for your mom.

Student Leadership Code of Ethics Contract

I,________________________________, the undersigned, solemnly swear that I will abide by the following Leadership Code of Ethics set forth by the Centerville Jr.-Sr. High School NJHS handbook, Student Handbook, administration and adviser.

The following standards of eligibility, conduct, and responsibilities shall apply to all members during their term of membership and/or service in the NJHS chapter of Centerville Jr.-Sr. High School.

I. Academic Achievement

a. I will maintain an average of 90% with no deficient or failing grades. I will strive to do my best in all subjects.

b. If I receive less than a 90 % or receive a failing or deficient grade, I understand that the NJHS Adviser, will place me on an academic improvement probation, and I may be dismissed from office. I understand failure to improve may result in my removal from my position and/or membership in NJHS.

c. I understand that the NJHS Adviser will keep track of my scholastic achievements at the end of each grading period.

II. Behavioral Standards a. As a member of NJHS, I realize that my conduct must be beyond reproach at all times, on and off campus. It is critical that you understand the full implications of this statement. Ask Mrs. Bodine, if you need further explanation.

b. I will uphold the constitution and by-laws with my oath of office/membership.

c. I will cooperate with and support the NJHS Adviser, CISD Administration, Teachers, Staff, etc.

d. I will abide by school dress regulations at all times .

e. I will not carry nor use any illegal chemical substances or stimulants, drugs, alcohol, etc. at any time, on or off campus.

f. I will display good sportsmanship at all times and serve as an ambassador for Centerville Jr. High School at other schools.

g. I will maintain a satisfactory citizenship record. I understand that if I conduct myself in an inappropriate way, I will be placed on a behavioral contract by the NJHS adviser. I understand that if I do not correct the behavior immediately, I could be removed from my position/membership.

h. I understand if I am suspended from NJHS, I will be removed from my position and/or membership.

i. Failure to comply with any of these rules may result in immediate removal from office or membership as determined by the NJHS handbook, student handbook, Adviser, and Administration.

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III. Responsibilities of Office a. I understand that class attendance in school is mandatory and vital to my overall success. Therefore, I must meet the 90% school attendance set forth by NJHS standards to remain a member in good standing.

b. I understand that it is my responsibility to work on projects assigned to me during NJHS Leadership class and or during service projects.

c. I understand that it is my responsibility to work on projects at lunch, after school, or on weekends if needed. d. I understand that I could be assigned to work tasks at NJHS or school functions or serve on a committee and that it is my responsibility to work at and attend these events. e. I will show up to all calendared events and/or notify adviser of scheduling conflict prior to event.

f. I understand that I will be assigned, and expected to execute, tasks by NJHS Adviser & NJHS Student president

g. I understand that if I am elected to an NJHS position and/or a NJHS member, I must attend scheduled NJHS Leadership training. h. I understand that if I am elected or appointed and do not satisfactorily fulfill my leadership responsibilities, I may be removed from office at the discretion of the NJHS Adviser & Administration. Violation of any of the stated rules is cause for removal from office. The NJHS adviser & Administration pursuant to the regulations set forth by the NJHS constitution, the NJHS handbook, Chapter By-Laws determines removal from office/membership. _________________________________________ _________________________________________ NJHS Members name (Print Clearly) Parent/Guardian Name (Print Clearly) ________________________________________ ______________________________________ NJHS Members Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

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