Huntington High School’s Science National Honor Society chapter inducted 42 new members during ceremony in the School Heritage Museum on Wednesday night.
Prospective Science National Honor Society members must meet stringent requirements, including a minimum average of 90 in science and an 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.
This year’s inductees include Brenden Abedin, Ryan Aguirre, Alexa Amorison, Joshua Bailin, Alexander Bellissimo, Mia Brown, Chloe Buffone, Kyle Colleluori, Kianna Criscuola, Isabella DiBenedetto, Nina Drakulich, Matthew Fallon, Jr., Eric Flores Reyes, Jordan Forte, Alex Gonzales, Zach Gordon, Rebecca Hoffmann, Jaden Italiano, Neil Jean-Baptiste, Grace Kenny, Caroline Kilgour, Timmeree Koepele, John Krisch, Ainsley Lumpe, Charlotte Maggio, Sofia Marchetta, Juliet Marinello, Eliana Ng, Jeffrey Ochoa-Alvares, Gemma Pellegrini, Emily Plachta, Samir Rathore, Alexa Rind, Luke Rinaldi, Julie Rogel, Joseph Rombaldi, Andreas Seferian, Chris Segreti, Kate Sheeran, Tess Stanley, Chaohan Yang and Erin Ye.
Huntington’s 2019/20 Science Honor Society chapter is led by Lia Shechter, (president), Peyton Kalb (vice president), Ava Waxenberg (treasurer), Abby Semelsberger (recording secretary), Matt Gennarelli (events coordinator), Abby Holmes (tutoring coordinator) and Oskar Kilgour (financial secretary). Teachers Dame Forbes and Lori Kenny are the organization’s faculty advisors.
The Science National Honor Society 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.” Each chapter of the organization is required to pursue at least one project each school year.
Huntington's Director of STEM Jill Johanson spoke during the ceremony along with each of the officers and the two faculty advisors. This year’s guest speaker was Dr. Michael B. Grosso, MD, who as medical director of Huntington Hospital oversees the entire medical staff and patient safety and quality improvement initiatives. He is also the acting chair of the pediatrics department.
Society members must participate in at least two sustained, ongoing chapter activities above and beyond the classroom experience. These could include organized peer tutoring, participating on the high school’s Science Olympiad team, fundraising activities, promoting scientific interest in district students through a science fair or science club or performing research as a lab or university.
Following the formal induction 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.
