Newtown High School students were inducted into the Newtown Chapter of the National Honor Society during a ceremony on Thursday, October 23.

When Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, spoke near the start of the event, he said he hoped the inductees and their family members could pause from the busy schedule of the day to “revel in the moment.

“If you go back in time — probably 10, 11, or 12 years ago — when your child started their journey in kindergarten, this is a snapshot photo moment,” Dr Erardi said. “This is one of those moments where, as a parent, or a grandparent, or a guardian, or as a close friend, that is a very special moment. It is a partnership. Something has gone awfully well and in the right direction, and you are a big part of why your child is here.”

Dr Erardi also said he hopes the students will look at the event as a “continuation to a journey that allows you to do whatever you would like to do,” rather than as a stopping point.

The superintendent also said he was proud of the students, and of the number of students being honored with the achievement.

“Congratulations,” said Dr Erardi, “what a terrific celebration.”

Newtown High School Principal Lorrie Rodrigue also spoke during the event. She thanked the student selection committee and school psychologist Tom Brant for their efforts for the event and with the National Honor Society.

The current National Honor Society members and the new inductees, Dr Rodrigue said, “continue to emulate the highest of standards both as learners and as members of our school community.”

Being in the National Honor Society, Dr Rodrigue said is about academic scholarship, but it is also about doing good for others.

“On behalf of the staff and the administration we want to congratulate all of our student inductees this evening, and we have every confidence that they will continue to make their families and all of us here at Newtown High School so very proud,” said Dr Rodrigue.

Before the ceremony of lighting candles to represent the four pillars of the National Honor Society — scholarship, service, leadership, and character — NHS senior and National Honor Society President Anita Luxkaranayagam announced this year’s efforts will support the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (Unicef), and shared her hopes for the coming year.

“If you didn’t already know, Unicef works to provide clean water, food, a proper education, medical care, and human rights to children in developing countries,” said Anita. “I believe every child in this world is entitled to all those necessities, and I am willing to put much effort to contribute to that cause.”

After the candles were lit, the National Honor Society inductees were named and recognized by walking across the stage in the high school’s auditorium.

National Honor Society Inductees

Students inducted into the National Honor Society, according to NHS, this year are Madelyn Aug, Emma Burns, Andrew Cragin, David Csordas, Kate Fallon, Jason Ferrari, Kayleigh Granville, Brooke Hadgraft, Geralyn Klein, Kyle Mangold, Megan Milano, Lindsey O’Donnell, Richard Sadlon, Joseph Santella, Thomas Shaker, Forest Speed, Michael Stierle, Haley Trudell, Katelyn Zimmerman.

Also, Rilind Abazi, Alisha Aggarwal, Justin Appley, Lauren Beier, Anna Biondi, Patrick Briscoe, Caroline Cole, Rachel Crosby, Anika Dholakia, Samantha Dion, Julia Faxon, Lydia Field, Celia Gold, Ashley Gong, Brendan Gregory, Ryan Higgins, Laura Hornby, Gemma Hyeon, Catherine Ingersoll, Amanda Kahn, Sophie Kennen, Abigail Kohler, Kayla Kordish, Kyle Macero, Brittany Meisenheimer, Mason Melillo, Josefina Mendez, Kelsey Miller, Christina Moore, Alana Murray.

And Justin Nathenson, Emily Newman, Mackenzie Page, Eve Passman, Andrew Pirner, Madison Pirone, Julia Preszler, Katharine Reilly, Caelan Ritter, Frank Rohrbacher, Nicholas Samuelson, Brianna Sclafani, Madeline Sieber, Aimee Talbot, Emma Tallon, Marissa Thill, Edwin Weatherby, Nathan Williams, Emma Wolfman, and Natalie Zimmerman.

More photos from the event are available here.