Science Honor Society Inducts
16 New Members
Huntington High School’s Science National Honor Society chapter is back to full strength after the organization inducted 16 new members during a recent ceremony in the School Heritage Museum.
Prospective Science National Honor Society members must meet stringent requirements, including a minimum average of 90 in science, 80 in math and 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.
A crowd of parents joined the festivities, which were also attended by Superintendent James W. Polansky, Principal Carmela Leonardi, Assistant Principal Brenden Cusack Chairperson of Science Rae Montesano and Huntington School Board member Bari Fehrs.
“The event signified the progress that has been made continuously in the sciences at Huntington High School, as well as the character and commitment of the individuals involved in the honor society,” said Mr. Polansky about this year’s induction. “Once again the ceremony included a personal touch from each inductee, this year with a celestial theme as each student selected a star that best represented his or her personality and experiences. It was very impressive indeed!”
This year’s inductees include Charles Beers, Jonathan Bethiel, Rachel Boisclair, Carolyn Cimetta, Ariella Danziger, Justin Edgar-McNerney, Heather Forster, Hillary Hardardt, Kathryn Ingle, Caitlin Knowles, Suzie Petryk, Joe Saginaw, Marina Siegel, Can Toprak, Josh Watkins and Margot Yanuck.
The new inductees join continuing members Hector Alvarado, Ryan Bonitz, Molly Brambil, Alexander Castillo, Elizabeth Coneys, Aron Coraor, Spencer Young, Hayley Drace, Elizabeth Eichenberger, Greta Farrell, Marc Feldman, Jesse Feldeman-Stein, Rachel Feltman, Cynthia Gowani, Christian Jamison, Rogelio Jimenez, Catherine Koumas, Gavin Li, Hannah Lomele, Alexandria Mandriota, Gabriella Mandriota, Morgan Mars, Brandon May, Brian McConnell, Collin Francis, Naomi Medina-Joudes, Michael Piazza, Anthony Puca, Summer Rudish, Olivia Palmer, Jeremy Gelb, James Sosa, Anthony Spinthourakis, Michael Stafford, Victor Tellez, Matthew Whitcher, Lyndsey Williams, Caitlin Yabroudy and Benjamin Nikodem.
“Dazzling young stars”
Huntington’s Science National Honor Society chapter is led by faculty advisors Lori Kenny and Dame Forbes. “Lori [Kenny] and I were very pleased to welcome these dazzling young stars into the Society,” Mrs. Forbes said. “The 16 inductees demonstrate a passion for the sciences that go beyond good grades. These students have participated in summer research opportunities, enrolled in extra science courses within and outside of the school and truly have a desire to further their knowledge of the natural sciences. This ceremony was very special. It was a very personal and lovely event.”
This year’s SNHS is led by Alexandria Mandriota (president), Brian Gilbert (vice president), Molly Brambil (secretary), Marc Feldman (treasurer), Victor Tellez (recycling coordinator) and Collin Francis (tutoring coordinator).
“The Science National Honor Society is a prestigious one,” Dr. Leonardi said. “Its advisors, Mrs. Kenny and Ms. Forbes, have cultivated the participation and leadership of a group of students that promote the study of science and take part in serious research.”
Dr. Albert Li gives keynote address
Dr. Albert Li, Huntington High School’s 2005 valedictorian, was the evening’s keynote speaker. Mr. Li obtained an undergraduate degree at Harvard College and earned his MD at New York University last May. Born in New York City, the scholar attended school in Huntington from kindergarten through graduation. He majored in chemical and physical biology at Harvard and conducted research in the laboratory of Rachelle Gaudet, studying TRPV1, a receptor that senses heat and capsaicin, the active compound in “hot” chili peppers.
“Albert continues to share our new inductees’ passion for all things scientific,” Dr. Leonardi said. “He commended the advances made at Huntington High School in the area of science. In fact, when he was a student here we did not have a science honor society or a research program. Thanks to our teachers and science administrators the science offerings have grown tremendously. With the help and commitment of present and future inductees, we are confident that we will make even greater progress in this area.”
After graduating from Harvard, Mr. Li spent a summer in Shanghai teaching science to students from Harvard and Fudan University. He returned to New York City to study medicine at NYU, graduating last spring. During medical school, the Huntington alum was involved in volunteering at the New York City Free Clinic, as well as various projects on health literacy, medical student education and clinical research on diabetic retinopathy screening.
Mr. Li is currently an intern at New York Hospital Queens in Flushing. He will begin a residency in ophthalmology at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System next year. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the city, playing the piano and volunteering with the high school students in his church.
Following the formal 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.