submitted by Brian Bushner
Members of the Philip Leonard Chapter of the National Honor Society at Hoosick Falls Central School welcomed fourteen new members in a tapping ceremony held October 18, in front of the 7-12 student body and again during the official induction ceremony on October 25.[private]The ceremony began with all of the current members seated on the stage, while Jamie Danner, Alex DiDonato, Anna Brewer, and Julia Helft explained the four pillars of National Honor Society. Those pillars are character, scholarship, leadership, and service. Advisor Karen Tommasino then explained to the audience the procedure used for selection of new National Honor Society members.
During the student assembly, each member walked to the aisles in the auditorium and called out the name of a student who was to be tapped and walked them back to the stage. The new inductees have no knowledge ahead of their name being called at the assembly that they have been selected for induction. During the induction ceremony, current members call out the names of inductees once again, and escort them to the stage to be inducted.
The evening ceremony also featured the Hoosick Falls High School Symphonic band which played several musical selections, and provided music for the induction processions.
“I’m very proud to be the advisor of National Honor Society,” said Tommasino. “It is a school organization with a wonderful tradition of honoring students for outstanding academic performance, service, leadership and character. I look forward to working with the new inductees, as well as the current members throughout the year.”
After fourteen students had been tapped, both Clare Myers and Cassandra Crucetti announced the National Honor Society Teacher of the Year, Timothy Ossont. He was very moved and grateful to be chosen by the society. Ossont is a math teacher at HFCS, and he is in his third year. He said, “It was a great honor to earn teacher of the year. With the students voting on the award, it means even more. It’s incredible to realize that what you do as a teacher really does matter.”
Tommasino presented The Jeffrey Stratton Memorial Award to Katy Gardner and Mrs. Danforth presented the Isabel McGuire Award to Sydney Luke.
Congratulations to all on earning this academic honor.
The new members inducted this year are Caitlyn Boyd, Nora Brown, Samantha Flohr, Nora Kipp, Janessa Leva, Sarah Martin, Jillian Maser, Stephanie Merwin, Guy Milliman, Allison Perry, Bridget Redick, Danielle Saint Hilaire, Renee Saint Hilaire, and Eliza Whitman.
Current members are Sydney Luke, Julia Helft, Emma Kelly, Katy Gardner, Ally Burdick, Anna Brewer, Cassandra Crucetti, Jamie Danner, Alexander DiDonato, Sydney Miller, Clare Myers, Daniel Suite.[/private]