Date: Fri 15-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

National-Honor-Society-schools

Full Text:

with cuts: Candles Lit For Honor Society Inductees

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

Four white candles that stand for Character, Service, Leadership and

Scholarship, were lit during a special ceremony held November 4 to honor

Newtown High's Class of 1997 inductees to the National Honor Society.

White was also chosen as the color theme for the 57 bouquets containing baby's

breath and carnations given to each of the seniors being honored that night.

They had each attained what Assistant Principal Marilyn Capizzano called, "a

high level of academic success - something that will stay with you forever."

"I congratulate your parents, your teachers and each of you for distinguishing

yourselves as National Honor Society scholars," Ms. Capizzano said.

The Newtown High School String Ensemble, directed by Michelle Hiscavich,

performed a Moussorgsky prelude and the familiar "Pomp and Circumstance"

processional by Edward Elgar, accompanying the students as they filed into the

cafeteria and took their seats facing the audience.

In her address, Ms Capizzano read from a letter written by school principal

William Manfredonia, who was unable to attend because of a previous

commitment.

The next speaker, Newtown High social studies co-chair Robert Dilzer, drew his

inspiration from the fact that it was November 4, the eve of the national

presidential election. He stepped up to the podium to speak to the students

about of "active participatory citizenship" and its inherent "rights, duties

and responsibilities."

Mr Dilzer told the students that as leaders, they would "need the ability to

listen... to achieve empathy," with others holding a different point of view.

He also counseled civic participation in school, community and religious

activities as a worthy, lifelong goal.

National Honor Society president Delphine Tuot thanked the speakers and the

musical performers, then helped society vice-president Evelyn Chen, secretary

Dana Ponsky and treasurer Sharon Hufner, hand out the bouquets and

certificates to the NHS inductees.

After listening to two lively string performances of the Capriol Suite by

Peter Warlock, the ceremony ended and students and their families gathered

together for refreshments and picture taking.

To be inducted into the National Honor Society, a student must have attained

an 88 average over the first six semesters of high school and must also

exhibit the qualities of character and leadership embodied by NHS members.

Finally, each student's candidacy must be approved by an NHS faculty council,

according to faculty advisor Win Brickmeier who, along with Dan Dorman, has

helped administer the program at Newtown High School for the past 10 years.

Members of the NHS faculty council are: William Manfredonia, Larry Ashmore,

Kerry Baldwin, Robert Dilzer and Kathleen Madzula.

57 Seniors Inducted

The following members of the Newtown High School Class of 1997 were inducted

into the National Honor Society, November 4, 1996:

Carolyn Anders, Jennifer Bacsik, Max Bajracharya, Jeff Barczak, Christopher

Bassett, Nicole Berte, Beth Bottril, Erin Cavanaugh, Evelyn Chen, Jennifer

Chion, Emily Crowley, Kristin Denninger, Carrie Disette, Sarah Doherty,

Michelle Dohrenwend, Erica Gellert, Michael Giarratano, Karen Giordano, Janice

Golenbock, Amy Grabowski, Sarah Halper, Methann Heath, Leigh Hoppmeyer, Sharon

Hufner, Matthew Huray, Lauren Kalb, Michael Kareta, Alexander Kosowski,

Kristin Kowalchik, Rebecca Kremenitzer, Sean Kursawe, Ellen Laporte, Christine

Leja, Paul McBride, Laura McClure, Heather McCusker, Jennifer McDonald, Lauren

McEvoy, Erin McNulty, Virginia Nagy, Andrew Nathanson, Kira Nelson, Adam Peck,

Lauren Pelletreau, Nick Perrone, Dana Ponsky, Jill Privalsky, Jessica Schlier,

Karen Schweikert, Katherine Speirs, Jill Swiatowicz, Jan Triani, Kelly

Tschantz, Delphine Tuot, Peter Von Oy, Emily Warner and Jessica Wismar.