Science Honor Society Inducts First Members
For the first time in its history, Huntington High School has inducted members into its very own chapter of the Science National Honor Society. A festive ceremony and reception was held last week, culminating several months of planning the department.
The new honor society was spearheaded by first year Director of Science David Casamento. “The induction of these founding members of the Science National Honor Society is exciting,” Mr. Casamento said. “When I proposed the idea in early September, I had no idea that the enthusiasm from the faculty advisors would be so great as to have our first inductees in November. The advisors and I have met weekly planning out the application process, selection and induction ceremony. We are all very excited for the students and for the school. We know the students are excited. Whenever we suggest an activity, the response from the students has been tremendous. When elections were held, every office had at least three people running. As the director of science, it is encouraging to see this enthusiasm.”
The newly inducted members include Fiona Byrne (president), Lauren Campbell, Alexander Chisolm, Johanna Clifford (vice-president), Asmita Das, Nicholas DiPaola, Caitlin Etri, Kirsten Freiman, Justin Greenidge, Alexandra Kimchy, Anthony Kouttron, Ester Kum, Sara Lustberg, Evan McCann, Christopher McQuade, Elizabeth Mohr, Tommy Monks (tutoring coordinator), Gregory Nigro, Brittany Pucci-Schmitz, Daniel Rabinowitz (secretary), Luke Reigot, Samuel Sainthil, Rebecca Silverman (corresponding secretary), Max Smoller, Colleen Teubner, Alanna Tieman (treasurer) and Jenna Wallshein.
The society also welcomed 1998 Huntington graduate Mazdek Hobbi as an honorary member. Mr. Hobbi made the keynote address at the induction ceremony. He is an aerospace engineer with the Federal Aviation Administration and has earned degrees from Polytechnic University and New York Institute of Technology. “His success is an example of all that has been good at Huntington High School and the science department,” Mr. Casamento said.
To qualify for society membership students must have completed at least two years of high school science, be either a junior or senior, have compiled a minimum average of 90 in science classes, 80 in math classes and an overall average of 85, be currently enrolled in at least a Regents level science course, submit two faculty recommendations from science or math teachers and be recommended by the selection committee comprised of the society’s faculty advisors, Joseph Cohen, Dame Forbes and Lori Pyzocha, as well as Mr. Casamento.
To remain in the society students must maintain the minimum academic requirements and participate in at least two of the ongoing club activities which include science tutoring, the Science Olympiad team, society-related fundraising, work at a lab or university or assist with science activities in the district’s elementary or intermediate buildings.
“I am excited that the students who are struggling in science at Huntington High School will have another avenue to turn to for help,” Mr. Casamento said about the new tutoring program. “Members of the society have already submitted the subjects they feel confident to tutor and have supplied their availabilities.”
Science teachers, parents or the students themselves can simply fill out a request for tutoring and junior Tom Monks, the tutoring coordinator, will connect a society member with the student who needs help. “These students can then meet during a common free period or after school,” Mr. Casamento said. “I love when students help other students. It is non-threatening and the sometimes the honor student will remember themselves having the same difficulties when they took the class. This is a win-win for everyone in the Huntington community.”
Mr. Casamento spoke glowingly of the society’s three faculty advisors. “These three individuals have devoted a tremendous amount of time and talent to the formation of this club,” he said. “Without their dedication and commitment to the students and the community, none of this would have been possible. It is, yet again, another example of the department’s commitment toward making Huntington a science community.”
During a department meeting earlier in the school year, Mr. Casamento said he “understood that there would be no money to compensate the advisors but that I thought it was essential to have this and if no one volunteered I would run the society. The three advisors came forward within minutes. These advisors are a tremendous asset to the department and the school community.”
The society has already begun its activities for the year.
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