Honor Society
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Honor Society |
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Back to Extracurriculars
Download, Complete, and Return Application by August 31 for 2007 induction. |
Theta Zeta Chapter Theta Zeta, the first ESA chapter in the State of Illinois, is excited to offer this opportunity to recognize the academic achievements of home school high schoolers in the Bloomington area. Eta Sigma Alpha advocates homeschooling as a viable and successful educational methodology and members act as liaisons for homeschooling to the general public, colleges, universities, and the media. The purpose of this chapter is to assist college-bound students by giving them experiences in leadership and service while encouraging their character and scholarship. Theta Zeta is led by the students who elect an executive cabinet each fall. Although adult sponsors are in place to guide members, the students themselves plan and carry out their own ideas. The ongoing community service project of this chapter is the development of a home school materials library which will allow parents to compare a wide variety of curricula in order to best meet their childrens' learning styles. Membership Students must be entering ninth through twelfth grade and be home schooled at least 51%. This percentage permits students to receive instruction from someone other than their parents for less than half of their educational program allowing them to benefit from community college dual enrollment, enrichment classes, and sports opportunities. Theta Zeta had seven charter members and grew to fourteen its second year. Students have commented that this group is different from other organizations because of the unique affinity the members share. Discussions and support extend beyond monthly meetings through the private forum developed by the Computer Operations Chair. 
The national organization has mandatory requirements for membership based upon standardized test scores. Unlike our public school counterparts whose honor society (NHS) is based upon grading scales that differ from school to school, these objective, nationally normed scores have distinguished ESA membership as more prestigious according to NHS administration. Competitive colleges and universities as well as scholarship programs have become more and more intrigued by this honor society devoted solely to home school students. Acceptable test scores include:
Application If national Eta Sigma Alpha requirements are met, the Theta Zeta Chapter requires prospective members to complete an application form and submit it along with a copy of the acceptable scores from a test taken within the last twelve months. On the application form, students are asked to write a brief paragraph about why they are interested in joining and the names and contact information of two individuals other than their parents whom the students have asked to write letters of recommendation. These two additional requirements by Theta Zeta are intended to help prepare college-bound high schoolers for the future and to give sponsors insight about the new members. 
There are no application fees and no obligation to join after submitting an application. All submitted information is confidential and will not be released to any outside organization or agency. Applications are accepted through August 31 each year and reviewed the first week in September. Students will be notified by mail within two weeks of the membership committee's meeting. New members are added at an induction ceremony held once a year at the end of September. Only current members with letters of reference from another chapter can transfer to the Theta Zeta Chapter mid-year. After induction, members are asked to pay a $10 annual fee to help cover expenses and have the option of getting a polo shirt embroidered with the chapter logo. Activities The goal of Theta Zeta is to be a blessing to academically talented students, not a burden; therefore meetings are held only once a month on the second Thursday from 3:00-4:30 PM in the Osborn Room of the Bloomington Police Department. Members may miss two meetings each year and maintain active status; however, exceptions may be made by the executive cabinet for work, scheduled classes, or special circumstances. 
Current members meet the second Thursday of September to prepare for the induction ceremony; new members begin in October. The December and May meetings are more social and may not be held in the Osborn Room. Students will decide in October what the focus of the remaining meetings will be; these are tailored to goals and interests of the group. Guest speakers such as guidance counselors and field trips to technology labs have been planned in past years. The community service requirement is designed to provide members opportunity and verification of service hours which may be helpful in acceptance to competitive universities. Theta Zeta members will assist with the Curriculum Closet; however, other projects are available and students may record outside service hours as well. Theta Zeta sponsors a commencement ceremony for all home school high school graduates in the Crossroads Area Home School Association. Graduating ESA members are provided an ESA honor stole and a gold honor cord for the ceremony. Officers and Duties President...Libby
 Membership Chairperson...Zach
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