Arista (honor society)

Arista was the New York City public high school and middle school variant name for the National Honor Society (NHS) chapters. ARISTA originated in the very early years of the 20th century and remained independent and active through the 1980s when nearly all schools converted into NHS chapters as it caused confusion on college applications.

An Arista lapel pin for New Utrecht High School

The Constitution of the NHS chapter reads, "Article I - Title: This organization shall hereby be known as the National Honor Society, not to be referred to [by] the New York title of 'Arista'", demonstrating the early use of the variant, special name.

The common insignia of the NYC 'Arista' chapters was an oval lapel pin, worn vertically (approx. 1/2 inch tall and 1/4 inch wide) and divided diagonally into the colors of the particular high school. However, it was not only limited to high schools. It can also be for an intermediate school as well as on a rare occurrence, elementary school.

As of 2018, there are 'Arista' chapters at several U.S. high schools. 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.[1]