H-ton Math Honor Society Inducts
36 Members
Three dozen exceptional students were inducted into Huntington High School’s chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the national Math Honor Society during a ceremony laden with time-honored traditions last week in the school auditorium.
To be eligible for membership in the Society students must be enrolled in a math class higher than Algebra 2 Trigonometry, have a minimum un-weighted average of 90 in previous math courses and have at least an 85 average in the first quarter of their pre-calculus (or higher) math class.
Huntington’s 2015 inductees include Sofia Bialkowski, Cole Blackburn, Jesus Bruno, Nina Cartwright, Samantha Conte, Kaitlin Dayton, Thomas Dayton, Dylan DelGuidice, Ethan Dwyer, Nancy Fallon, Aaron Feltman, Jack Gallagher, Benjamin Hebert, Ekaterina Koulakova, Alexandra Koumas, Samuel Latt, Holly LoTurco, Ripley Mars, Matthew McBride, Caroline McCartney, Elisa Medina-Jaudes, Justin Meyer,s, Ellaha Asar Nadi, Spencer Pashkin, Caroline Petrozzo, Katie Reilly, Savannah Richardson, Lena Scarpulla, Dylan Schedler, Mary Sheehan, Emily Shutman, Cara Sorrentino, Olivia Stamatatos, Emily Williams and Steve Yeh.
“The new inductees are to be applauded for their accomplishments not only in mathematics, but also in many other aspects of their lives within and beyond Huntington High School,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “They are genuine role models and surely destined for further success moving forward. The Math Honor Society advisors and officers are also to be commended for their work in planning a dignified and enjoyable ceremony.”
Huntington math teachers Monica Racz and Patricia Avelli are the organization’s faculty advisors. Last week’s ceremony marked the 18th induction since the founding of Huntington’s Nathan Hale chapter Mu Alpha Theta.
The organization is led by executive board officers Justin LoTurco (president), Hillary Hardardt (vice-president), Samantha Lynch (secretary), Rachel Carpenter (treasurer) and Leah Butz (tutoring coordinator). Each of the student leaders attended to various duties during the induction ceremony.
The Society’s new members adhered to tradition and lit candles during the ceremony. As the students were inducted, the auditorium lights dimmed until the room was illuminated by candlelight. The effect was understandably dramatic.
Huntington High School Class of 2005 member Katie Coneys was this year’s guest speaker. An assistant vice president with Barclays Bank and a member of Huntington’s Math Honor Society and National Honor Society chapters when she attended high school, the alum spoke about the value of studying mathematics.
The Society’s new inductees join continuing members Usra Amin, Charles Beers, Megan Boyce, Leah Butz, Rachel Carpenter, Elizabeth Corrao, Justin Edgar-McNerney, Heather Forster, Hillary Hardardt, Omotayo Ikuomensian, Caitlin Knowles, Patrick Lombardi, Olivia Lopez, Justin LoTurco, Samantha Lynch, Hanna Murphy, Katie Nugent, Kylie Palmer, Suzanne Petryk, Matthew Reed, John Reilly, Joseph Saginaw, Amy Schmelter, Ketevani Tsotskolauri, Meelod Wafajow, Katilin Wascher, Brendan Wirth and Lana Ziegler.
The evening included performances by The Logarhythms, a group of four talented Huntington High School strings students, including cellists Brendan Wirth, Elisa Medina-Jaudes and Samuel Latt and bassist Samantha Conte.
The ceremony was followed by a reception in the auditorium lobby for students, parents and other family members, who easily socialized with one another and posed for photos.