New officers also introduced at Jan. 13 ceremony
By Clayton Smith
New inductees prepare to recite the NHS pledge. (Photo by C. Smith)
On Tuesday, Jan. 13, 37 Haldane students were welcomed into the high school’s chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). Students gathered at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center for dinner, followed by a ceremony inducting the new officers as well as students.
Haldane High School math teacher and National Honor Society advisor Lou Sassano began the event by welcoming the parents and friends of all members, as well as the administration. Principal Brian Alm then took the stage to thank Sassano for his dedication to the society and discussed the significance of being a part of the NHS, urging students to consider the ideas discussed during the ceremony in their future endeavors.
Four seniors were inducted as NHS officers and each gave a brief speech on one of the four pillars of the society: Julia Olsen (president) discussed leadership; Peter Close (vice president) service; Trevor Van Brunt (secretary) character; and C.J. Geller (treasurer) scholarship.
Each new officer lit a candle representing the quality, and then the new members were called up one by one to briefly speak about the quality of their choice and light a candle, too. Everyone recited the National Honor Society Pledge, and afterward, concluding remarks were given by new Haldane Superintendent Diana Bowers.
New NHS members are Lucy Austin, Weronika Bajsicka, Melissa Biavati, Anna Birn, Carly Brief, Allisen Casee, Nicholas Chiera, Isabella Convertino, Maisy Curto, David DeCaro, Marissa DiPalo, Peter Duffy, Nicole Etta, Jerome Famularo, Andrew Gannon, Macdara Heanue, Daniel Heitmann, Theodore Henderson, Stephen Junjulas, Tobey Kane-Seitz, Sara Labriola, Jillian Maldonado, Allison Marino, Marina Martin, Bailey McCollum, Lola Nicholas, John Parr, Jack Revkin, Leandra Rice, Eric Rizzi, Aubrey Stowell, Clara Thompson, Wylie Thornquist, Melissa Tringali, Adele Westerhuis, Rebecca Yodice and Corydon Zouzias.
Congratulations one and all for your achievements here but, more so, for working on personal qualities that will carry you forward in rewarding and productive lives that can improve prospects for all.