National Honor Society Chapter Inducts New Members
Steeped in tradition, the Nathan Hale chapter of the National Honor Society has recognized the top students at Huntington High School for the past six decades. Last week the organization inducted 61 new members who boast academic records that would make their predecessors proud.
During his opening remarks at the 59th annual induction ceremony, fourth year National Honor Society faculty advisor Joseph Cohen spoke directly to the inductees. “You excel in academics, but this only a part of the reason you are here,” Mr. Cohen said. “You have a fire inside that drives you to give; to give your time; to give your knowledge; to give your energy to those who need help the most. You do not sit back and rely on your ability to study and work tirelessly in your classes. That is not enough for you. You have taken an active role in your lives. You share the belief that the few can help to inspire the many. You are selfless leaders who give service to others without worrying about what you will receive in return.”
Among the inductees were Hector Alvarado, Alyson Baker, Julianna Barca, Kira Bergman, Sabrina Blakley, Ryan Bonitz, Molly Brambil, Alexander Castillo, Elizabeth Coneys, Tyler Cook, Allegra DePasquale, Hayley Drace, Jonathan Engle, Greta Farrell, Jesse Feldman-Stein, Collin Francis, Daniel Gallagher, Katherine Gerdes, Brian Gilbert, Alexa Gorczycki, Cynthia Gowani, Chelsea Holmes, Emma Hughes, Kathryn Ingle, Christian Jamison, Rogelio Jimenez, Catherine Koumas, Taivon LaPalmer, Alexandria Mandriota, Gabriella Mandriota, Morgan Mars, Brian McConnell, Pauline McGlone and Emily McGoldrick.
The inductees also included Naomi Medina-Jaudes, Melena Mills, Ryan Newell, Benjamin Nikodem, Christine O’Grady, Olivia Palmer, Michelle Pechar, Michael Piazza, Anthony Puca, Alexandra Reinertsen, Donovan Richardson, Henry Rogan, Matthew Rosenbauer, Summer Rudish, Danielle Schultz, Thomas Scott, Christine Simpson, Kimberly Smith, Shannon Smith, Kevin Solomowitz, Michael Stafford, Eric Sze, Victor Tellez, Lyndsey Williams, Caitlin Yabroudy, Margot Yanuck and Samuel Yanuck.
The motto of the National Honor Society is “Noblesse Oblige,” a French term that translates in English to “nobility obligates.” The new members are expected to assist all students on the path toward academic excellence through a variety of tutoring and community service activities.
“The students we are honoring and celebrating tonight are part of a proud Huntington High School National Honor Society tradition that enjoys a reputation for excellence among administrators, faculty members, students and parents,” Principal Carmela Leonardi told the crowd. “This reputation is the result of years of commitment on the part of everyone involved and is based primarily on the fact that members of the NHS must maintain and build upon the qualities that won them selection.”
Speakers during the ceremony also included Nathan Hale chapter President Nikki Smoot, who impeccably delivered a well-received address. Executive officers Molly Prep, Melanie Grossman, Frank Yeh and Emily Grossman took turns remarking on the qualities of character, scholarship, leadership and service, respectively.
A series of traditional rituals were sprinkled throughout the evening, including the tapping of new inductees by current members and a candlelight segment in a darkened auditorium. The high school chamber choir under the direction of Veronica Mainville sang the national anthem and later performed a second selection.
The new inductees were asked to affirm their support for the National Honor Society’s ideals by stating: “I pledge myself to uphold the high purposes of this society to which I have been selected, striving in every way by every word and deed to make its ideals the ideals of my school and my life.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, students, parents and staff attended a reception in the auditorium lobby.