Social Studies Honor Society Welcomes New Members

Huntington High School’s Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society chapter welcomed 34 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 Debora Balducci serves as the organization’s faculty advisor.

The new inductees include Sana Amin, Laura Benedetto, Sophie Bradford, Hannah Byers, Gemma Cartwright, Carmine Carusone, Keira Coulter, Megan Donaghy, Benjamin Edgar-McNerney, Rana Elfaham, Deanna Elvir, Katherine Estrada, Lily Froggatt Bale, Annika Galvin, Lars Galvin, Aidan Geller, Lauren Gennarelli, Jada Joseph, Marley Joseph, Charlotte Gordon, Sophia Kaloudis, Sophie Lange, Nikolai Lulewich, Riley Murtagh, Chloe Northrop, Ella O’Heir, Brooke Parks, Olivia Polinsky, Erin Purcell, Reese Rinaldi, Kaylee Splendorio, Cian Scott and Eli Soric.

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 Timothy Kusterbeck (president), Seamus McDevitt (vice-president), Aria Hannah (treasurer), Laura Curtin (secretary) and Logan Toth (secretary).

This marked the Huntington chapter’s ninth induction ceremony since it was founded. Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky, Huntington High School Principal Brenden Cusack and Assistant Principal Jully Williams 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.