Faculty Duo Inducted into English Honor Society
They probably thought they were long past the point of being inducted into an academic honor society, but Huntington High School librarian Patricia Dillon and English teacher Kenneth Krummenacher were wrong.
The dynamic duo was welcomed into Huntington's National English Honor Society chapter as honorary members during a Tuesday evening ceremony in the school auditorium.
Emal Wafajow, the organization's vice-president and Laura Ironman, the group's historian, spoke eloquently about the two gifted educators during a 35-minute ceremony that saw 75 students inducted into the English Honor Society. The new inductees joined 88 continuing members to swell the organization's ranks to 163.
Mr. Wafajow waxed poetic during his profile of Mr. Krummenacher, who is a published poet. The English teacher has been on the high school faculty for nine years and is the faculty advisor to the student literary magazine, Et Cetera.
A peer coach with Western Suffolk BOCES and Long Island Cares, the first regional food bank and comprehensive hunger assistance organization, Mr. Krummenacher was described by Mr. Wafajow as "an influential teacher." The faculty member has been a proponent of incorporating technology into his work with students, including the pursuit of a Huntington Foundation grant to purchase an iMac and iPod touches.
Mr. Krummenacher wore a wide smile during the ceremony and appeared deeply touched by the honor. "The NEHS student/faculty executive board would like to recognize your commitment to English education as exemplary in nature," Mr. Wafajow said.
Mrs. Dillon's "continuous efforts to improve the scholastic ability of students within the high school, including tutoring during student study halls, igniting a love of reading by recommending books many teenagers would normally ignore and providing resources for research papers," were termed "exemplary" by Ms. Ironman.
Mrs. Dillon worked in the district as an elementary grade level librarian for many years before assuming the high school post. She also serves as the freshman class faculty advisor.
"Taking time out of your day to sit down and help students with homework, reading, and projects, as well as constantly reorganizing the library, are just some of the many accomplishments you are known for in this school," Ms. Ironman told the talented librarian who almost seemed embarrassed by all the attention directed her way. "Your dedication to the students and to the subject of English prompted the executive board to select you for this honor,"