Huntington High School’s Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society chapter welcomed 38 new members during this week’s induction ceremony, which was held in a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prospective members must be juniors or seniors and have a minimum unweighted academic average of 90 in social studies courses and at least an 85 overall. Candidates for membership are required to show participation in activities that demonstrate civic engagement.
Teacher Debora Balducci serves as the group’s faculty advisor. The society seeks to recognize excellence and promote engagement in social studies.
The new inductees include Madelyn Bavaro, Johanna Campos-Moreira, David Canas Granados, Teddi Carnesi, Cassidy Casabona, Charlotte Cheshire, Grace Colavecchio, Naysa Escobar Rizo, Erik Flores Reyes, Keira Francis, Juliana Friebolin, Emily Geller, Ashley Genao, Charles Girimonti, Kemberlin Hernandez-Veliz, Brianna Isaza, Alexis Kaloudis, Jasjeet Kaur, Alexandra Kustera, Jillian LoTurco, Christopher Maichin, Victoria Mangan, Grace McCallion, Caitlin Murtagh, Margo Nitekman, Lily O’Heir, Caroline O’Rourke, Ryan Porzio, Allison Quinn, Keylin Quintanilla Villalobos, Luke Rinaldi, Yanira Rivera Ronquillo, Emily Roberts, Hannah Roberts, Joseph Rombaldi, Chloe Schiman, Erin Ye and Richard Zboray.
“I am really excited to be inducted into Social Studies Honor Society,” Ms. Carnesi said. “Social studies is my favorite subject so being inducted is something I take pride in. I want to be a member because I feel that there is a lot of good you can do through the teachings of history and society.”
The nearly three dozen new members promised “to serve others, to search for truth, to utilize knowledge and to seek wisdom through the pursuit of academic excellence in the social studies.” The teenagers pledged “service to Huntington High School and to the community; for true scholars of the social studies lead by example.”
The Huntington chapter is led by Valerie Rogel (president), Ella Siepel (vice-president), Julie Rogel (treasurer), Jailyn Fuentes (recording secretary) and Ryan Aguirre (corresponding secretary).
This marked the Huntington chapter’s eighth induction ceremony since it was founded. The National Council for the Social Studies started the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society in 2011.
“Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of social studies,” states the group’s national website. “Any accredited public high school or non-secondary school can apply for a local chapter, through which individuals will be inducted into Rho Kappa Honor Society. Rho Kappa provides national recognition and opportunities for exploration in the social studies.”