Thirty Nine Wolcott High School Student Inducted into the National Honor Society

On April 1, 2009, thirty nine high school students were inducted into the Amos Bronson Chapter of the National Honor Society. The National Honor Society was established in 1921 to recognize the highest achieving and most involved high school students across the nation. The mission of the National Honor Society both then, and now, is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in secondary students. Junior and senior students with a weighted cumulative average of 90 and who have a demonstrated record of good character, leadership, and service were invited to apply for membership. A five member Faculty Selection Council then reviewed the activity portfolios, teacher evaluations, academic, attendance, and disciplinary records of the applicants. During this process, names are removed from all records to ensure confidentiality and impartiality. Such selection process is in full compliance with those as recommended by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the governing body of Student Activities in the United States.

The following students earned membership into the National Honor Society this year: Rebecca Albini, Dan Arsenault, Brianna Bartoli, Chris Bendtsen, Samantha Bly, Iona Brockie, Jessica Carichner, Coree Charette, Andrew Cipriano, Elizabeth DeVitto, Gina DiVirgilio, Inacio Dias, Jamie Fusco, Brianne Giordano, Robert Giordano, Taylor Gleason, Noor Hadir, Rich Hegeman,

Maryam Iftikar, Karyssa Keely, Jessica Langley, Jessica Legasse, Louis Levy, Sarah Lounsbury,

Susan Mantiglia, Emily Manzolino, Joe Paquette, Nick Pietroniro, Jamille Rancourt, Rachael Rocco, Chelsey Rodriguez, Shawn Rodriquez, Jackie Rosa, Farrah Saleh, Marisa Santopietro, Rachel Spagnoletti, Alyssa Testa, Shenaye Thomas, and Nicole Zdanis.

The induction ceremony included a candle lighting ceremony and an explanation of the four cardinal principles of the National Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Remarks were made by National Honor Society President Dave Van Fleet, Wolcott High School Principal Dr. Robert Eberle, and Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smyth. Many proud parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and Board of Education members were in attendance. Wolcott High School math teacher Lorraine Carver was selected by the current members of the Honor Society as this year’s honorary inductee. Mrs. Carver was selected because of her dedication and commitment to teaching. She was the National Honor Society advisor for many years and also taught the AP Calculus class, leading her students to great achievements on the national test. In addition, Mrs. Carver is well liked by the students and goes out of her way to help them understand math. She is retiring this year and will be greatly missed.

After the formal ceremony was over, the current members of the Honor Society performed skits to bring the principles of the Honor Society to life in a fun and memorable way. This has been a tradition since the first induction ceremony in 1960. This year the students really outdid themselves as they wrote and performed their own rendition of Survivor NHS. The current members of the National Honor Society are: Emily Audibert, Cherie Boucher, Ariel Bruni, Martine Ciccio, Katherine Connolly, Sergio Goncalves, Amanda Hubeny, Alexandra Inglese, Fatima Kolenovic, Julienne La Chance, Gina Mancini, Geoffrey McCallum, Ashlie Morris, Emily Muckle, Carly Murphy, Emma Napolitano, Mackenzie Ouellette, Victoria Parsons, Rachael Ramonas, Kelsey Skura, Brian Stankus, Adam Talbot, and Dave Van Fleet

The Honor Society is advised by Deborah Witek and Michelle Thies. Congratulations to all the new inductees and the outgoing members of the National Honor Society!