Merton Williams Middle School inducted 60 students into the Hilton Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society during a virtual ceremony held February 10.
Principal Marc D’Amico welcomed audience members and addressed the inductees. “Think about what you’ve accomplished to get here and what you can do to maintain this achievement,” he said. “Having the honor to work with all of you every day keeps me hopeful for the future and excited for the present.”
Inductees Katherine Barry and Olivia Johnson spoke about the history of the National Junior Honor Society. Then Mary Burke, Ava Brugno, Maddie DeGraeve, Sydney Fisher, Ella Simonelli, Nathan Kiser, Kate Kosiorek, and Daphne Hix described the five characteristics of membership – scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.
Advisors Kirsten Meyers and Anastasia Stamoulacatos spoke about each inductee’s accomplishments as their picture was shown on screen. The students will receive their pin and special cookies from Paradise Sugar Shoppe, and sign the registry during their lunch periods.
Students with the highest academic honors are invited to apply for National Junior Honor Society at the end of seventh grade. They must complete a rigorous application process that includes 15 hours of community service, letters of recommendation, participation in leadership experiences, and a personal letter of interest. Collectively, the inductees achieved 930 hours of community service.
Kelly Smith, Merton Williams earth science teacher, was selected as the guest speaker. “Your family, friends, and teacher support will motivate you and guide you – don’t take that for granted,” she said. “When things feel overwhelming, life always finds a way to work out. It always does – I promise you.”
The ceremony concluded with the new inductees handing their parents personal letters of thanks.
The National Junior Honor Society Inductees are: Katherine Barry, Jazz Bianchi, Lindsey Bleier, Brodie Bostley, Julia Brone, Ava Brugno, Mary Burke, Owen Butler, Kira Coleman, Tyler Coughlin, Madison DeGraeve, Yianna Diakomihalis, Isabella DiGiacco, Hailey Edmond, Sydney Fisher, Tessa Geiger, Katelyn Gerould, Briella Greczyn, Mari Griggs, Nicholas Gruener, Sam Guzzetta, Jacie Hall, Aidan Harney, Sabrina Hauck, Mallory Heise, Jayna Helfer, Addison Helmer, Daphne Hix, Olivia Johnson, Renee Jorgensen, Aiden Kennedy, Natalie Kiser, Nathan Kiser, Katherine Kosiorek, John Larotonda, Sydney Lenhard, Megan Marean, Jason Mastowski, Hailey McConnell, Alexa McGarrity, Isabella Nellis, Alexander Padoleski, Logan Pandina, Andrew Paolini, Whitney Philipp, Rebecca Phillips, Olivia Pilato, Joseph Piperni, Tyler Reisinger, Mia Salton, Paige Siciliano, Aidan Siciliano, Brooke Sillato, Ella Simonelli, Addison Sloan, Jack Smith, Laura Sommer, Claire Turner, Shayna Weeks, and Grant Wood.
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