The Kennett High School Blue and White Chapter of the National Honor Society welcomed the 2016-17 inductees at a ceremony and reception on March 16, 2016.

Chapter adviser Dr. Alicia Tamargo opened the program. Four National Honor Society members from the Class of 2016 highlighted the Cardinal Objectives, the qualities expected of members: Alexander Wilson (character), Julie Bates (scholarship), Julianne Matthias (leadership), and Lauren Hauptschein (service). Senior speeches were delivered by Casey Bruno and Dylan Munson.
School Principal Dr. Jeremy Hritz presented an Honorary Membership to Class of 2017 member Brian Ayllon, a superlative student, distinguished leader, and compassionate friend who died in December 2015.

Next, Mr. Jeffery Thomas, Assistant Principal, called the role of the existing members of the Chapter. These students were inducted into the Society last year: Tolulope Adetayo, Samantha Anthony, Codie Armitage, Julie Bates, Kitty Battalora, Christian Beveridge, Casey Bruno, Michael Claricurzio, Kara Clarke, Erin Dooley, Bridget Duffy, Madaline Dungey, Kira Dzedzy, Nicholas Ferranto, Christina Fucci, River Gheen-Regouski, Athena Grivas, Amanda Haid, Lauren Hauptschien, Benjamin Henry, Dennon Hoernig, Emma Hopkins, Jessica Hussey, Maria Kaliakin, Ananya Kapur, Saarang Karandikar, Casey Kollmeier, Christopher Kreicker, Zoe Livingston, Alexander Mark, Julianne Matthias, Connor McGlone, Braden Miller, Dylan Munson, Rebecca Ploener, Angelique Raezer, Emma Rasero, Aubrey Robinson, Jacob Saltzberg, Colleen Sheehan, Becca Shoemaker, Duncan Smith, Dana Solomon, Megan Tandarich, Sarah Wertmann, Joseph Wikol, and Alexander Wilson.

Dr. Tomorrow Jenkins, Assistant Principal, called the role of new inductees who were welcomed into the Chapter: seniors Kathryn Eland, Bridget Fox, Andrew Kim, Hannah Sirusas, and Brianna Wistar; juniors Cullen Abelson, Molly Adelman, Luke Beeson, Madison Bowe, Madison Brown, Edwin Castenada-Campos, Samantha Castleton, Delaney Chaffin, Michaela Clarkson, Michelle Disler, Olivia Donia, Kate Doroba, Victoria Gallivan, Kylee Harvey, Lauren He, Zachary Hrenko, Lindsay Krieger, Yvonna Liszewski, Austin Maxwell, David McVey, Kelsey Mentzer, Arianna Meola, Meredith Mitchell, Isabelle Morrison, Margaret O’Sullivan, Olivia Pagliaro, Lydia Pebly, Laurel Petersen, Danyal Quraishi, Devon Reilly, Abigail Roche, Jack Ryder, Ryan Salameda, Emily Sauer, Charlotte Schmitt, Cindy Serrato Zavala, Julia Sharp, Charles Shattuck, Benjamin Skross, Kerry Tomasetti, Jacqueline Tucker, and Samantha Weaver.

Following the induction ceremony and roll call, Assistant Principal Raymond Fernandez administered the pledge of honor, and Dr. Tamargo announced the newly elected officers for 2016-17: President Edwin Castaneda-Campos, Vice President David McVey, Secretary Charlotte Schmitt, Treasurer Danyal Quraishi, and Historian Madison Brown.

Members of the Blue and White Chapter must demonstrate and maintain high standards of the four hallmarks of the National Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Throughout the year, members of the National Honor Society members participate in service activities, including tutoring and fundraising. This year they have organized two blood drives for the American Red Cross, served a meal at the VFW, worked on volunteer crews for the Mushroom Festival, ushered patrons at this year’s musical Beauty and the Beast, and raised money to combat childhood leukemia and to support the Kennett Food Cupboard. The group is also looking forward to sponsoring social activities at the high school, including May’s very popular Glow Dance, as well as volunteering this spring at the Kennett Run.

Members of the Blue and White Chapter became eligible by posting a 3.75 grade point average (GPA) by the second semester of their junior year. Additional qualities of character, leadership, and service were assessed by the faculty of Kennett High School and reviewed by members of the National Honor Society Faculty Council, chosen by the principal from among the faculty and serving for a period of two years. This year’s Faculty Council included Mrs. Colleen Allen, Mr. Robert Anthony, Ms. Rachel Ceci, Ms. Courtney Doll, Mrs. Kimberley Guarneri, Mr. Joseph Hutcheson, Mrs. Theresa Indiveri, Mrs. Lisa Kochmansky, Dr. Erin McDonnell-Jones, Mr. Jeffrey Moreau, Ms. Amanda O’Connor, Mr. Joseph O’Sullivan, Mr. Michael Replogle, Mrs. Hannah Taylor, and Mr. Robert Wagner.

Approximately 170 Kennett High School students stayed on their feet from 10 p.m. Friday, February 26, to 6 a.m. Saturday morning for their first annual Mini-THON. Mini-THONs are popular events to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund, which benefits pediatric cancer research and families whose children are battling the disease.

Hosted by the school Humanitarian Club, the first Kennett High School Mini-THON was a huge success. Organizers set a first-year fundraising goal of $5,000. Due to students’ hard work and the kindness of the Kennett community, however, they raised $16,644, more than tripling the goal amount.

Modeled after Penn State’s Dance Marathon (THON), Kennett High School’s Mini-THON featured eight hours packed with fun activities for participants. Students enjoyed Zumba, yoga, line dancing, basketball, dodgeball, floor hockey, and soccer. They were entertained by Kennett High School’s faculty band, Teacher Band, and two student bands, Californium and Seeking Asylum. Students danced to music selected by student DJs, battled each other in a lip-syncing contest, and raced scooters across the gym—all while taking regular breaks to feast on a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, quesadillas, pastas, fresh fruit and vegetables, and baked goods generously donated by local merchants.

Gemma Erickson, a Kennett High School junior, raised $1,100 and earned herself the top fundraising prize of a 55-inch flat-screen Smart TV.

When asked what motivated her to raise such an impressive total, Gemma said, “I wanted to help kids. Plus, members of my family have attended Penn State and some of my cousins have danced in THON, so it really meant something to me.” As for her prize TV? “The whole family is using it,” she said.

Faculty advisors for the event were Mrs. Lisa Teixeira, Kennett High School librarian and Humanitarian Club moderator; Mrs. Erin McDonnell-Jones, English teacher; and Mr. Tom Brientnall, social studies teacher. Both Mrs. McDonnell-Jones and Mr. Brientnall are Penn State graduates and former THON participants. Student organizers were led by senior Sean Connolly and junior Austin Maxwell, event co-chairs, along with seniors Zoe Livingston and Bridget Fox, Humanitarian Club co-presidents.

“The kids did an amazing job, especially for the first time organizing an event of this magnitude. They all demonstrated leadership, compassion, and cooperation,” said Mrs. Teixeira.

Kennett Consolidated School District extends our congratulations to everyone involved.