J. Taylor Finley Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society chapter welcomed 104 new members during the organization’s Wednesday night induction ceremony in the high school 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 nearly 60 years. Principal Traci Roethel beamed throughout the ceremony.
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 94 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 Katie Cocoman (president), Emma Boyle (vice president), Riley Uvena (secretary) and Giana Anfolisi (treasurer) played leading roles in the ceremony.
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.
“It was an honor to be there in support of so many new Junior Honor Society members, whose dedication and resilience has been truly extraordinary during challenging times,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “I have no doubt that they will continue to demonstrate similar effort, leadership, character and compassion as they continue at Finley and at the high school thereafter. Congratulations to all of them and their families, as well as to the current members who have persevered in a similar manner and have set such a fine example during their time at the middle school.”
The new members include Jasmine Adcock, Lindsey Araujo Hernandez, Gemma Bedell, Blake Bender, Sara Benitez, Ricardo Berry, Lucas Biancardo, Alexandra Boeckmann, Justin Cahn, Grace Callery, Robert Campbell, Julian Canales, Jake Chiclacos, Joseph Conklin, Christian Correal, Jude Creegan, David Cruz Ponce, Reed Cummiskey, Colby Curran, Avery Davidson, Piper Davis, Charles Desrochers, Andie DiGioia, Michael DiVincenzo, William Donaghy, Chloe Donovan, Angelina Drakos, Finnian Driscoll, Ronan Driscoll, Chelsea Drummings, Mia Einemann, Leighton Evans, Madelyn Falk, Deveren Flynn, Amanda Ganley, Aubrie Godin, Anya Goleski, Graham Gooch, Julia Goodwin, Katherine Gordon, Owen Gordon, and Isabella Goutevenier.
The organization also welcomed Jordyn Gross, Cassandra Guevara Jandres, Alison Hagn, Alice Hammerquist, Talia Hayden, Eric Heinz, Townsel Henry, Karleanid Hernandez, Sophie Hoffman, Avery Joynt, Madyn Kalb, Manpreet Kaur, Lila Kennelly, Braedan Kline, Grace Kline, Sena Knopf, Brady LaCosta, Jack Larson, Alexandra Learned, Lucy Lee, Olivia Lee, Eli Levi, Cole Lima, Nallely Linares Guardado, Luke Lomler, Andrew Lopez, Fiona Lynch, Leah MacManus, Angie Maldonado Maldonado, Elliot Manu, Kaylee Mata, Ava McDonald, Dylan McKean, Thomas McMahon, Brendan McNulty, Nico Meloni, Marilyn Mendoza Virula, Dylan Michaelson, Caroline Mitek, Emma Mortensen and Norah Moskowitz.
The inductees also include Michael Munsch, Ezra Oddoye, Leila O’Toole, Ella Palatnek, Joseph Perotti, Nataly Posada Lopez, Jessica Ramirez, Dakota Respass, Eva Richter, Quinn Rinaldi, Melanie Rodriquez, Arianna Rubio, James Ruthkowski, Gabriel Salinas, Audrey Sherwood, Emma Sobocienski, Charles Stanforth, Jack Steinberg, Patrick Tortora, Ella Van Horn and Ryan Waters.
The five pillars of Finley’s National Junior Honor Society chapter include:
Scholarship: A cumulative academic average of at least a 94 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.