National Honor Society Welcomes
New Members
The Nathan Hale chapter of the National Honor Society at Huntington High School inducted 67 new members on Tuesday night during the organization’s 61st annual ceremony.
The scholars have compiled exceptional academic records and earned the respect of their teachers. The new inductees join 43 continuing members to bring the group’s ranks to 110. Chapter members intend to pursue a variety of projects this year, including organizing a Relay For Life in the spring to raise monies for the American Cancer Society.
“These 67 students are to be commended for their efforts in and beyond the classroom, as well as for their ongoing leadership and service to the community,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “They have made and will continue to make Huntington proud!”
The new inductees include Jean Abecassis, Usra Amin, Elyas Amin, Hailey Bengston, Alexandra Berwick, Cassandra Berwick, Cole Blackburn, Anna Brosoff, Rachel Carpenter, Nina Cartwright, Chelsea Connell, Samantha Conte, Yardalie Daniel, Dylan DelGuidice, Ethan Dwyer, Nancy Fallon, Aaron Feltman, Llanira Flores, Vincent Fredericks, Jack Gallagher, Ann Glackin, Christopher Glowacky, Holly Grabowski, Scott Gulizio, Lenni Joya Amaya, Michael Karasik, Kathleen Keys, Jeanne Kopstein, Ekaterina Koulakova, Alexandra Koumas, Samuel Latt, Sophia Latt, Cindy Lopez, Holly LoTurco, Peter Magerle, Matthew McBride, Caroline McCartney, Brianna McDonald and John McKenna.
The ceremony also featured the induction of Elisa Medina-Jaudes, Danielle Melgar, Alexandra Mills, Daniel Mollitor, Hanna Murphy, Michael Nemaric, Sabrina Palacios, Kylie Palmer, Spencer Pashkin, Caroline Petrozzo, Max Polster, Joseph Puca, Katie Reilly, Savannah Richardson, Lena Scarpulla, Howard Schiman, Latoya Shand, Emily Shutman, James Smoot, Olivia Stamatatos, Jessica Straub, Marlem Tellez, Marygrace Trousdell, Hanae Wada, Nicholas Warren, Benjamin Whitcher, Emily Williams and Mashal Zadran.
The National Honor Society’s motto is “Noblesse Oblige,” a French term that translates in English to “nobility obligates.” The new members are expected to assist all students on the path toward academic excellence through a variety of tutoring and community service activities.
Speakers during the ceremony included Nathan Hale chapter President Katilin Dayton, who delivered an uplifting address. Executive officers Samantha Lynch (vice president), Elizabeth Corrao (secretary), Samantha Glicker (treasurer) and Thomas Kouttron (historian) took turns remarking on the organization’s membership pillars of character, scholarship, leadership and service.
Sixth year National Honor Society faculty advisor Joseph Cohen lauded the organization’s newest members for their academic drive and exceptional performance and expressed his confidence they will uphold the group’s long tradition of excellence.
Principal Carmela Leonardi addressed the new and continuing members and a crowd of about 150 parents. Mr. Polansky, Assistant Principal Brenden Cusack and several Huntington School Board members also attended the ceremony.
“This year we are very proud to induct 67 new members in the Nathan Hale chapter of the National Honor Society,” Dr. Leonardi said. “This large number of inductees becomes more impressive when one considers the rigorous selection process that scrutinizes the quality of service and leadership along with the outstanding academic history of all applicants. Mr. Cusack and I strongly believe that the qualities and talents of our new inductees rival those of any of the top performing students in the most competitive districts on Long Island. Congratulations to all new members of the Huntington High School chapter of the National Honor Society and to all its existing members. We will continue to rejoice in all that you will continue to accomplish.”
A variety of traditional rituals were found throughout the evening, including the tapping of new inductees by current members and a candlelight segment in a darkened auditorium. The high school chamber choir under the direction of Veronica Mainville sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and later performed “Con Amores La Mi Madre.”
A string quintet consisting of violinists Cristina Bateman, Annalise Mozer, Annie Trousdell, violist Lily Morris and cellist Brendan Wirth also entertained the crowd, lending further dignity to the proceedings.
The inductees were asked to affirm their support for the National Honor Society’s ideals by stating: “I pledge myself to uphold the high purposes of this society to which I have been selected, striving in every way by every word and deed to make its ideals the ideals of my school and my life.”
After the scholars marched out of the auditorium they attended a small reception in the main lobby with parents and faculty members.