Principal Brenden Cusack Emphasizes Written and Spoken Word

Brenden Cusack was an English teacher before turning his professional attention to a career in administration. So when the Huntington High School principal addressed the crowd at this month’s English Honor Society induction ceremony it was an English teacher at heart.

A Freeport High School English teacher for eight years, Mr. Cusack taught Advanced Placement literature and theatre arts, served as a class advisor for four years, chaired the Middle States Committee on Educational Programs and produced school plays.

“The written and spoken word is at the heart of communication and it is what makes us all social beings,” said Mr. Cusack at the induction ceremony. “The ability to convey and receive information is essential in all of the thousands of interactions we have each day. Your induction into the National English Honor Society shows that you are on your way to mastering these skills. Whether it is analyzing literature, making deductions from informational texts, seeking out rhetorical devices in speeches of the past or crafting your own writing with a sense of voice and purpose, you have excelled. As a former teacher of English, I am especially proud of you as I know that, while all disciplines are important and challenging, the study of English serves other disciplines for without skillful communication and analytical skills, other forms of study would undoubtedly suffer.”

Mr. Cusack earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education at SUNY New Paltz in 1995 and a Master of Science degree in adolescent education/English 7-12 at CUNY Queens College in 2002. He obtained a professional diploma in school administration and supervision at CUNY-Queens College in 2005.

“One of my favorite authors, Toni Morrison, once said, ‘If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it,’” Mr. Cusack told the induction crowd. “I invite you, beginning on this momentous evening, to write your own book. Not necessarily in the literal sense, but in whatever sense that means to you. Perhaps it is in fact an actual book you will write at some point or it may be another means by which to convey your own personal vision and truth. However you choose to use the written word to tell your story, know that it does indeed hold tremendous power. An ability to deftly use the written word can in fact, and with no exaggeration, shape our entire world. I urge you to keep working at that, and use your powers for good.”

The Post Ellipsis chapter of the National English Honor Society at Huntington High School inducted 50 new members during this year’s ceremony in the auditorium. The new members expanded the group’s ranks to 127. The organization is led President Lily Tierney, Vice President Anne Tyrrell, Treasurer Kaylee Splendorio, Secretary Marley Joseph and Public Relations Coordinator Ruby Meidenman. English teachers Aimee Antorino and Helen Guarino serve as the faculty advisors.

To be considered for NEHS membership a student must have a minimum academic grade average of 90, “exhibiting an impressive breadth of academic excellence,” while maintaining an English grade of at least 94.