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.
