Arista (honor society)

Arista is the New York City public school variant name for chapters of the National Honor Society (NHS). Arista began in 1921 and remained independent and active through the 1980s when nearly all schools converted into NHS chapters to avoid confusion on college applications. However, some chapters are still active as local honor societies and are not affiliated with the NHS.

History
Arista began in 1921 in New York City public high and junior high schools as a variant of the .National Honor Society (NHS). It remained independent and active through the 1980s when nearly all schools converted into NHS chapters, avoiding confusion on college applications.

As of 2018, several New York City high schools have Arista chapters. At least one chapter, upon discovering that they had been following the original Arista constitution and could not practically come into compliance with the NHS charter, chose to drop membership in the National Honor Society and continue as an independent Arista chapter.

Aristia also has a junior honor society division that recognizes seventh and eighth-grade students.

Symbols
The name Arista is derived from the Greek god Aristaeus and means "the best" or "most excellent".

The common insignia of the Arista chapters was an oval lapel pin, worn vertically and divided diagonally into the colors of the particular school. It is approximately 1/2 inch tall and 1/4 inch wide. Its pillars are scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Membership
High school students are admitted into Arista for excellence in academics, character, leadership, and service. Membership is open to juniors and seniors who have maintained an 85-grade average for three consecutive academic terms. Potential members must also complete fifty hours of community service. However, membership requirement vary between chapters.

Potential members of the junior division must complete ten hours of community service and have served in one leadership position, along with at least an 85-grade average.

Chapters
Following is an incomplete list of Arista chapters.

Notable members

 * Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress
 * Clive Davis, music executive and founder of Arista Records
 * Richard Feynman, theoretical physicist
 * Lucille Fletcher, dramatist
 * David Sholtz, 26th Governor of Florida

Legacy
Clive Davis, a member of Arista during his time at Erasmus Hall High School, repurposed the name as founder of Arista Records in 1974.