Newly inducted members of the Social Studies Honor Society. (Darin Reed photo.)
Newly inducted members of the Social Studies Honor Society. (Darin Reed photo.)

Social Studies Honor Society’s Membership Swells

October 20, 2023

Huntington High School’s Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society chapter’s membership swelled with the induction of 29 new members during a ceremony in the auditorium this week.

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 Melvin Avelar Romero, Isabella Carreccia-Johnson, Andrew Case, Ludo Cattano, Alexandra Centrone, Ada Cruz-Gutierrez, William Fallon, Nicolas Francis, Thomas Galicia-Martinez, Kimberly Granados Moreira, Isabelle Gregorio, Rafaella Gregorio, Amalia Heinz, Rachel Huth, John Joyce IV, Emily Kustera, Shaina Linker, Caitlin Maher Dubnau, Robert McCallion, Mia Molina, Nicholas Plachta, Dylan Proctor, Anthony Retamal Vidal, Erika Reyes, Aine Rimkunas, Abby Schueller, Cian Scott, Anne Tyrrell and Tyler Wheeler.

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 Mary Marinello (co-president), Aidan Geller (co-president), Marley Joseph (vice-president), Charlotte Gordon (treasurer), Jada Joseph (secretary) and Kaylee Splendorio (secretary).

This marked the Huntington chapter’s tenth induction ceremony since it was founded. “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.