Huntington High School’s Science National Honor Society chapter inducted 38 new members during a Wednesday night ceremony in the School Heritage Museum.
Prospective Science National Honor Society members must meet stringent requirements, including a minimum average of 90 in science, 80 in math and 85 in all classes. To remain in good standing, society members must compete in science competitions, perform peer tutoring, participate in club fundraising and attend meetings on a regular basis.
A crowd of parents joined the festivities, which were also attended by Superintendent James W. Polansky, Principal Brenden Cusack, Assistant Principals Joseph DiTroia and Gamal Smith and Director of STEM Jill Johanson.
This year’s inductees include Tyler Abedin, Matthew Baker, Hannah Bailin, Erin Bonitz, Katherine Burton, Hadley Clayton, Payton Coneys, Anna Crockett, Terrel Cox, Christiana DeLuca, Sarah Dabydeen, Luke Eidle, Christopher Engle, Emma Farrell, Jack Farrell, Cameron Fehrs, Sara Frawley, Nathaniel Gamboa, Emma Grassi, Natalie Gonzalez, Mathew Hearl, Ryan Hoffmann, Yasmin Khiji-Neal, Jack Langton, Candido Martinez, Annabella Matheus, Michael McCooey, David Mosden, Noah Morris, Haley Mortell, Samuel Roberts, Matthew Quinn, Kaitylyn Sage, Arashdeep Singh, Katharine Stock, Charles Sze, Jenna Yabroudy and Graham Young.
Huntington’s 2017/18 Science Honor Society chapter is led by Rachel Moss, (president), Alexandra Heuwetter (vice president), Nolan Piccola (corresponding secretary), Isabella Piccola (treasurer), Alexandra Lourenso (recording secretary) and Sebastian Stamatatos (tutoring coordinator). Teachers Dame Forbes and Lori Kenny are the organization’s faculty advisors.
“We are excited to have so many wonderful and talented students joining the society this year,” Mrs. Forbes said. “We look forward to their contributions to the Huntington science community through service and ingenuity. This year, the students chose weather as their focus. They chose this because they are concerned about climate change and the rash of devastating hurricanes that touched American soil. STEM education is so important and the passion that these young people bring to society will be sure to make this year another success.”
The Science National Honor Society was organized in 2000 with the following objectives:
• To encourage and recognize scientific and intellectual thought.
• To advance students’ knowledge of classical and modern science.
• To communicate with the scientific community.
• To aid the civic community with its comprehension of science.
• To encourage students to participate in community service and in turn, encourage a dedication to the pursuit of scientific knowledge that benefits all of mankind.
The motto inscribed in Latin on the Science National Honor Society shield translates to “Fortunate is one who understands the causes of things.” Each chapter of the organization is required to pursue at least one project each school year.
Mr. Cusack and Mrs. Johanson both spoke during the ceremony along with each of the officers and the two faculty advisors. Karen Miller of the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition was the evening’s guest speaker. She was given an honorary membership in the organization.
Following the formal ceremony a small reception was held in the area outside the School Heritage Museum. The gathering allowed new and continuing members to mingle and chat with one another and with the family members and friends who attended the festive affair.
