Huntington English Honor Society Inducts New Members
The Post Ellipsis chapter of the National English Honor Society at Huntington High School inducted more than three dozen new members and awarded honorary membership to school trustees Elizabeth Black and Emily Rogan during a moving ceremony in the school auditorium.
The NEHS honors excellence in high school English. Society faculty advisors Bonnie Guarino and Kelly Quintero-Lashley said the group’s new members are an impressive bunch and have met stringent standards. Principal Carmela Leonardi gave the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of the Society and of education, in general.
The new members include Michaela Acton, Camille Barron, Kevin Bilzi, Erin Brown, Lauren Campbell, Christine Corcoran, Johanna Clifford, Elizabeth DeMaio, Tatiana DiPaola, Lauren DiPasquala, Patrick Einhorn, Caitlin Etri, Kieran McCarthy Fell, Julie Forster, Kirsten Freiman, Lena Freed, Haley Garofalo, Justin Greenidge, Kerry Hicks, Amanda Ho, Maya Horton, Anthony Kouttron, Kelsey Kunes, Alex Lau, Daniel McGale, Erin McGoldrick, Chris McQuade and Thomas Monks.
Also inducted were Lauren Nadine, Timothy O’Grady, Virginia Ramirez, Kristen Reardon, Jeremy Rhodes, Brian Ruggiero, Samuel Sainthil, Nicholas Schoen, Max Smoller, Rebecca Silverman, Colleen Teubner, Alanna Tieman, Jenna Wallshein, Ariel Wertheim, Renna Wirchin and Olivia Wyrick.
Inductees were called by name and asked to assemble on the auditorium stage were they recited the Society’s membership oath: “As a member of the National English Honor Society, I shall endeavor to advance the study of all areas of English and to foster a spirit of fellowship among students excelling in all facets of the English language arts, ever keeping in mind our national motto, as our guiding principle; ‘Gelest sceal mid are’ - Duty goes with honor.”
The new members were told they “must agree to accept the light of knowledge and pass it on to future generations of English scholars.” As the lights were dimmed a “chain of knowledge” was initiated with the lighting of a candle. Then, one-by-one the other students followed by lighting their respective candles until the auditorium was flooded with light.
"The English department is proud to honor the accomplishments of the new inductees, whose work and talents in the English language arts represent to the entire student body the very best of what Huntington has to offer,” said Joseph Leavy, director of humanities. “These students have consistently demonstrated over the years sophistication in writing and a general passion for literature both of which have combined to make their teachers, parents, and school community in general honored to witness their induction into the National English Honor Society."
The evening also featured the honorary induction into the Society of Mrs. Black and Mrs. Rogan. Mrs. Black has been an English teacher for 32 years and is currently on the faculty at Kings Park High School. She has also served as a Syracuse University adjunct professor. Mrs. Rogan, who graduated from Huntington High School, has enjoyed a career as a freelance writer and has worked with Junior Achievement of New York.
In addition to the Society’s officers, Greg James (president), Katherine Beavers (vice president), Liam Jones (treasurer), Annabelle Jouard (secretary) and Julien Feldman (historian), continuing members include David Acton, Daniel Ackerly, Daniela Badalamenti, Jeffrey Bishop, Matthew Bishop, Jiordan Castle, Stephanie Chang, Max Cohen, Shannon Lee Connors, Jonathan Correll, Laura Dabrowski, Megan Doyle, Kara Grossman, Mira Gutoff, Madeleine Jensen, Virginia Johnson, Diya Kapur, Marco Lagone, Venice Lagone, Chris Lau, Kristi Lyons, Kay Lodge, Ryan LoScalzo, Gregory Nordin, Dylan Payne, Anthony Priolo, Christine Russo, Frances Saravia, Kathryn Schmitz, Victoria Shannon, Andrew Sherman, Tiffany Sorenson, Jennifer Szilagy, Natasha Thalla, Brian Teubner and Christian Wilbur.
The Post Ellipsis chapter’s charter carries with it a commitment to the mission of the founders of the Society: To promote mastery of written expression, encourage worthwhile reading and foster fellowship among students who excel in English studies.
Following the induction ceremony, students and guests moved to the lobby for refreshments.
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