The J. Taylor Finley Middle School National Junior Honor Society chapter inducted 100 current seventh graders into its ranks last Friday night during a ceremony that featured many traditional rituals, including a candle lighting segment and member pledge.
Faculty advisor Amy Hughes was excited to bring dozens of new scholars into the organization’s ranks. Current honor society officers assisted during the ceremony. The incoming members were enthusiastic about joining a group that celebrates exceptional academic success. Proud parents took advantage of every opportunity to snap photos and applaud.
Superintendent Jim Polansky posed with current Finley Honor Society members.
Finley Principal John Amato gave a short address, which was followed by the time-honored candle lighting ceremony and tapping of new members. The inductees received certificates and pins commemorating their achievement.
Mr. Amato called it an “exciting and well-deserved evening” for the students and their families. The inductees have compiled outstanding academic records through elementary school and seventh grade. They will complete their community service, leadership and citizenship requirements as eighth graders.
“This is one of my favorite Finley events,” Mr. Amato said. “The families come out to recognize the student’s academic achievement. There are so many high achieving students at Finley I wish I could invite them all into the junior honor society.”
The new inductees include Riley Ackerman, Talia Addeo, Olivia Agosti, Mackenzie Ahern, Joseph Algieri, Nadeera Ali, Grace Allen, Anthony Annunziata, Jaden Argaman, Nick Barretta, Victoria Befumo, Miranda Bellissimo, Amelia Boccardo, Laurel Bonn, Sophie Bradford, Catherine Bree, Peter Breingan, Sofia Breskin, Fiona Brosnan, McKenna Buffa, Hannah Byers, Aidan Carrello, Gemma Cartwright, Nicholas Cesario, Sarah Corwin, Izabela Cuji, Ryan Curran, Laura Curtin, Katerina Damiano, Julia Danseglio, John DelPonte, Megan Donaghy, Gabriela Ferreira, Gianna Forte, Aislyn Franciscovich, Annika Galvin, Lauren Gennarelli, Matthew Gerardi, Emily Gershuny, Emma Glascock, Vincent Grassi, Dylan Hanna, Aria Hannah, Emma Hannigan, Leigh Hepworth, Keylin Hernandez-Moreira, Ian Husselbeck, Kieran Husselbeck, Brenda Jandres-Benitez and Tyler Johnson.
Ella Kamenstein, Gavin Kata, Michael Kline, Sarah Krisch, Cecilia Kye, Ryan Lawless, Isabella Lima, Daniela Luca, Tessie Maerz, Keyla Maldonado, Allison Malone, Markella Markotsis, James McCormick, Seamus McDevitt, Kaci McDonald, Renee McKean, Kathryn Meagher, Danielle Mendikyan, Gabriella Miller, Kathryn Montefusco, Samuel Morales, Rachel Morina, Margaret Morrisroe, Michael Mungo, Brad Misipeanu, Emma O’Brien, Jillian Panos, Lillian Polak, Enzo Pupillo, Erin Purcell, Estefany Quijada Mojica, Neha Rathore, Sol Rodriquez-Arevalo, Benjamin Root, James Rosselli, Jordan Rund, Erin Scanlon, Mikah Schueller, Carlee Schultz, Nikolai Seferian, Leah Sheran, Haileigh Smith, Sophia Thompson, Logan Toth, Liam Tucker, Dominick Vidota, Stephanie Wickey, Linnea Wong, Anna Bell Young and Nicholas Zahn were also inducted during the ceremony.
Many eighth graders played roles in the ceremony. Mackenzie McManus recited the Pledge of Allegiance. William Spada and Joshua Youngquist sang the Star Spangled Banner. Cassidy Casabona provided welcoming remarks. Noa Kimmelman (scholarship), Grace McCallion (citizenship), Jack O’Brien (service), Victoria Mangan (leadership) and Madelyn Bavaro (character) spoke about the organization’s ideals. Alexandra Kustera led the tapping ceremony. Theadora Carnesi and Allison Quinn assisted Mr. Amato with the distribution of certificates and pins. Alexis Kaloudis offered closing remarks.
The evening concluded in the school lobby with a variety of appealing snacks and refreshments. Parents and students chatted with one another and with Ms. Hughes, Mr. Amato, Finley Assistant Principal Kenneth Parham and Superintendent James W. Polansky.
