Finley Honor Society Welcomes 72 New Members

J. Taylor Finley Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society chapter welcomed 72 new members during the organization’s Tuesday night induction ceremony before a crowd of parents and district officials.

Faculty advisor Amanda Shaffer along with this year’s executive board was excited to bring six dozen 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 since 1965. 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.

Kellen Anderson led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance before Celia LoPorto sang the Star Spangled Banner. Helena Sullivan provided opening and closing remarks and led the new inductees in the honor society pledge. Isaac Amar, Elisabetta Arra, Paige Falk, Tucker Fiore and Norah Golden took turns speaking about the honor society’s five pillars.

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.

The new members include Jonah Abraham, Allison Aguilar, Sydney Amar, Daniela Andrade Bonilla, Emma Aversano, Yahel Barak Elitsur, Molly Barba, Matthew Barch, Khloe Bedell, Jason Bencivenga, David Bergmann III, Leo Boccuzi, Ava Bond, Natalie Buchner, Bradley Burke, Andrew Cahn, Isla Campbell, Jovani Campos, Marianny Castillo, Lucas Coby, Isabella Correa, Juliette Creegan, Ty Criscuola, Matteo Dasaro, John Dello-Iacono, Cherrie Donnino, Annabelle Donovan, Behan England, Sofia Felice, Sutter Flynn, Katherine Gooch, Charles Gordon, Ryan Hahn, Naomi Halder, Stewart Henry and Mia Hodgkinson.

The Class of 2025 inductees also include Owen Hoffman, Jade Ingram, Charlotte Kindelmann, Conor Kuhn, Julia Lanzilotta, Pfeiffer Laycock, Emma Leiter, Katharine Lyons, Delaney Madden, Montserrat Mani-Munoz, Ethan Martin, Anna Matarese, James Molina Tax, Rafaella Moss, Olivia Ng, Brady Oliva, James Oppenheim, Cecilia O’Toole, Andrew Parrott, Shelby Patti, Scarlett Phillips, Rose Poli, Luna Ramirez, Diana Ramos Saravia, Ruby Richter, Charlotte Rizzo, Lia Rotunno, Gretchen Schmid, Luke Shanley, Samuel Simon, Savanna Sturges, Ava Tortora, Abigail Van Horn, Chloe Yoon, Gabriella Zielinski and Lindsey Zilm.

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.