J. Taylor Finley Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society chapter welcomed 91 new members during the organization’s Friday morning induction ceremony in the auditorium.
Faculty advisor Amy Hughes along with this year’s executive board was excited to bring dozens of new scholars into the group’s ranks. The incoming members are enthusiastic about joining an organization that has celebrated exceptional academic success at the school for more than 50 years.
The new members have all compiled outstanding academic records through elementary school and seventh grade. They will complete their community service, leadership and citizenship requirements as eighth graders.
All of the new members compiled an academic average of at least 92 through the first three marking periods of seventh grade, wrote an essay about character and citizenship and received the endorsement of Finley’s faculty. The newly minted members received certificates commemorating their achievement.
Officers Will Fallon (president), Josie Sullivan (vice president), Brenna Ackerman (secretary) and Emily Kustera (treasurer) played leading roles in the ceremony. Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Kustera joined together to sing the national anthem at the start of the festivities.
Finley Principal Traci Roethel offered warm words of congratulations to the exceptional seventh graders, welcoming them into the ranks of the school’s top scholars.
The new members include Julianna Ackerman, Maya Akerman, Azucena Alvarado Gomez, Ethan Ambrosio, Zain Amin, Giana Anfolisi, Ruby Baliber, Alexandra Balm, Kennedy Banner, Kiley Barch, Brandon Bonilla, Jordana Boxer, Emma Boyle, Jessica Bree, Christopher Cabal, Katie Sorto Cabrera, Bridget Callery, Charlotte Cassatto, Sage Cicciari, Kathleen Cocoman, Carlos Lazo Cuchels, Daniella DelPonte, Alexander Dumas, Grayson Dunn, Domenica Elgart, Wynne Franciscovich, Gabriela Genao, Chelsea Gordon, Grace Gordon, Nyah Grigg, Jeremy Gross, Emma Gutierrez, Erin Hanlon, Emmet Harlan, Heather Herman, Angelina Hernandez, Ruby Hoffman, Mark Ingram, Andrew Ochoa Islas and Spencer James.
The organization also welcomed Matthew Jimenez, Mia Johnson, Dana Avila Justo, Jack Kamenstein, Mia Kaufman, William Kim, Samuel Klaaren, Shannon Koepele, Spencer Krull, Giovanna Lanfranco, Kyra Larsen, Jessica Lee, Christian Luca, Jelena Silva-Lucana, Naomi Lyons, Mabelin Maldonado, Braid Martin, Alexa Mazure, Olivia McGreevy, Kiera McGuire, Cecilena Monge Moreira, Presley Moss, Marin Mullaly, Grace Oliva, Isabella Palacios, Claire Parks, Emma Polinksy, Vincent Pupillo, Emely Herrera Rivas, Nathan Root, Luis Orrega Salinas, Dana Saramago, Elizabeth Sheran, Daniel Simon, Jaipreet Singh, Louisa Skrobela, Cameron Smith, Ronan James Sosnowski, Riley Sullivan, Luca Terrado, Edith Thaler, Heileen Torres, Riley Uvena, Sofia Van Arsdale, Erika Hernandez Veliz, Mildred Hernandez Veliz, Sofia Vias, Lily Wasoski, Jolie Weinschreider and Dylan Wong.
“I am so proud of all of these young people,” said Superintendent James W. Polansky, who attended the early morning ceremony. “Despite the challenges that they and their peers have faced during the past 15 months, they have kept it positive, remained focused and have gone out of their way to support others in countless ways. That is what the honor society is all about. Congratulations to each of the inductees and their families.”
The five pillars of Finley’s National Junior Honor Society chapter include:
Scholarship: A cumulative academic average of at least a 92 through the first three marking periods of seventh grade.
Service: This involves voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation.
Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.
Character: The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.
Citizenship: The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic engagement; has a high regard for freedom and justice; respects democracy; respects the law for all citizens at the local, state, and federal levels; and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility in activities such as scouting, community organizations or school clubs.
