Merton Williams Middle School inducted 55 students into the Hilton Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) during a ceremony held February 9 at Hilton High School.
Principal Marc D’Amico welcomed audience members and addressed the inductees. “I am excited to see you grow into the young adults and adults who will be the change agents and leaders that will make our world a better place,” he said. “I know I speak for our staff when I say having the honor to work with all of you every day keeps us hopeful about the future and excited for the present…because it is never too early to make a positive impact on your family, in your friend group, in your school, your community, or the world.”
NJHS Vice President Olivia Verhey, Treasurer Natalie Aylward, and Secretary Emily Fernandez gave the history of the National Junior Honor Society. Then Sierra Bianchi, Emma Howell, Gabriella Maccarone, Anna Meisner, Rylee Nelson, Naomi Rosario, Synjon Smyth, McKayla Underwood, and Izabella Wrobel described the five characteristics of membership – scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character – and participated in the candle-lighting ceremony.
Advisors Kirsten Meyers and Anastasia Stamoulacatos spoke about each inductee’s accomplishments as they stood before the audience, then signed the registry, shook hands with administrators, and received their pin and a special cookie from Paradise Sugar Shoppe.
In order to be invited to apply for membership into the National Junior Honor Society, students must first hold an average of 95 percent for the first three marking periods of seventh grade. The rigorous application process includes the completion of 15 hours of community service, proof of participation in leadership experiences, a personal letter of interest for consideration, and letters or recommendation. Collectively, the inductees achieved 825 hours of community service.
As the keynote, Scott Meagher, Merton Williams science teacher, delivered an inspiring and entertaining speech in which he gave the inductees three pieces of advice (and a quiz afterwards): serve others, be great and give thanks. “You see when you serve others, you serve yourself. When you help others, they help you,” he told the inductees. “All of us are in service to each other and when you view it in this way, we successfully achieve kinship. And when we achieve kinship, the ills of our society begin to fade away.”
The ceremony concluded with the new inductees handing their parents personal letters of thanks.
The National Junior Honor Society inductees are: Natalie Aylward, Steven Bettin, Samantha Bianchi, Sierra Bianchi, Darwin Brewer, Caroline Czebatol, Devyn Donato, Emma Englert, Jackson Esposito, Emily Fernandez, Ashley Fichtner, Miranda Fioravanti, Shawn Fisher, Ella Geiger, Alexis Gerig, Ava Heise, Ava Herne, Sophia Hogan, Ava Howell, Emma Howell, Caileen Kirkey, Malena Kuzmanovski, Jack Lander, Hartley Lenhard, Grace Levis, Briella Levis, Lila Lewandowski, Gabriella Maccarone, Colin MacDonald-Muckle, Michael Mascadri, Makenzie Mason, Anna Meisner, Aiden Mischler, Rylee Nelson, Alana Neri, Ella Newman, Jackson Oliveri, Jack Palmer, Madeline Patton, Chase Popielarz, Karina Presutti, Lillyonna Reed, Naomi Rosario, Samantha Sarnowski, Synjon Smyth, Matthew Spreter, Colton Spriggs, Sophia Sullivan, Gabrielle Tata , Lia Turner, McKayla Underwood, Olivia Verhey, Brooke Wingrove, Izabella Wrobel, and Lilliana Yannello.
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