Huntington High School’s Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society chapter welcomed 32 new members during a recent induction ceremony in the auditorium.
Prospective members must have a minimum unweighted academic average of 90 in social studies courses and 85 overall. The society seeks to recognize excellence and promote engagement in social studies. Teacher Kenneth Donovan serves as the organization’s faculty advisor.
The new inductees include Talia Addeo, Grace Allen, Katherine Balm, Victoria Befumo, Sofia Breskin, Morgan Colleluori, Laura Curtin, Matthew Gerardi, Emma Glascock, Aria Hannah, Molly Heffernan, Ella Kamenstein, Timothy Kusterbeck, Cecilia Kye, Anna Larson, Daniela Luca, Kailyn Mackay, Keyla Maldonado, Markella Markotsis, Seamus McDevitt, Renee McKean, Kathryn Montefusco, Emily Plachta, Neha Rathore, James Rosselli, Ian Rotunno, Leah Sheran, Damanjit Singh, Evan Spagnoletti, Logan Toth, Shane Walsh and Anna Bell Young.
The 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 Christopher Maichin (president), Victoria Mangan (vice-president), Erik Flores Reyes (treasurer), Yanira Rivera Ronquillo (secretary) and Ashley Genao (secretary).
This marked the Huntington chapter’s eighth induction ceremony since it was founded.
Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky, Huntington High School Principal Brenden Cusack, Assistant Principal Jully Williams and Chairman of Humanities, 7-12 Joseph Leavy were among those in the crowd.
“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.”
The National Council for the Social Studies started the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society in 2011.
