HHS Science Honor Society Inducts
27 Members
Huntington High School’s Science National Honor Society chapter inducted 27 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, Chairperson of Math and Science Clifford Swezey and Huntington School Board President Thomas DiGiacomo.
This year’s inductees include Louis Annunziata, Alexander Ardell, Gabriella Bartley, Stefan Breskin, Jahi Douglas, Julia Engle, Delaney English, Sabrina Floro, Shannon Foley, William Garfinkel, Anjali Kapur, Amanda LoScalzo, Erin Morrisroe, Alexandra Muller, Kelly Nicoletto, Miranda Nykolyn, Thomas Pandolfi, Emma Petrizzi, Rachel Roday, Mitchel Rudish, Lauren Sage, Jonathan Shechter, Alexandra Smith, Jackson Spector, Donald Stewart, Tara Wilson and Steve Yeh.
This year’s SNHS is led by Emily Shutman, (president), Andrew Gunthner (vice president), Rachel Carpenter (corresponding secretary), Caroline Petrozzo (treasurer), Ripley Mars (recording secretary), Nina Cartwright (fundraising coordinator) and Cole Blackburn (tutoring coordinator). Teachers Dame Forbes and Lori Kenny are the organization’s faculty advisors.
“Our new Science National Honor Society members have used their science studies to better understand how the world around them works,” said Dame Forbes, who serves as the chapter’s faculty advisor. “We hope that they will now use their scientific knowledge to illuminate the world of science for others.”
Ms. Carpenter explained the origins and purpose of the Science National Honor Society, which 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,” Ms. Mars told the crowd. “It is indeed fortunate to have students like these here tonight who are willing to share their understanding of ‘the causes of things’ with other students and community members.”
Each chapter of the SNHS is required to pursue at least one project each school year. “The purpose of the selected projects shall be to pursue the national objectives of the Science National Honor Society,” Mr. Blackburn said. “This year, we plan to tutor students who require additional help in science, help students with special needs maintain interest in science through exciting scientific experiments and contribute to the good of the scientific community in whatever way possible.”
Continuing a long tradition of recognizing a community member during the annual induction ceremony, the Huntington chapter of the SNHS presented an honorary membership to Abigail Tyrell, a Tufts University graduate and second year PhD student conducting research at Fisher Laboratory in Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.
Ms. Shutman introduced the young scientist to the crowd. Ms. Tyrell is studying in the biological oceanography program. “My research will focus on the biogeochemistry of selenium,” she said. “I will be studying the toxicity of selenium in plankton and the effects of combined selenium and mercury exposure in plankton.”
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.