Be prepared to give a warm welcome to the newest members of the National Honor Society!
On April 26, 61 students – 53 juniors and eight seniors – were inducted into the Old Rochester Regional High School National Honor Society.
These students were acknowledged for scholarships, leadership, character, and service.
Welcoming remarks were made by co-advisor Kathleen Brunelle, ORRHS NHS President Madeline Scheub, and Principal Michael Devoll. Guest speaker Jared Dourdeville provided advice to the inductees, and his speech was well received by teachers and students.
According to Kathleen Brunelle, English/theater teacher and co-advisor to NHS, the Honor Society is centered on four elements. The first element is scholarship – students need to meet a certain academic average to qualify.
“Once students have demonstrated scholarship, then we invite them to apply,” said Brunelle. “At that point, they need to demonstrate the other three pillars: leadership, service, and character. A faculty council then reviews student applications before we choose the inductees.”
Inductee Nolan LaRochelle shared his reasons for wanting to join the esteemed NHS, and the hard work he put in to qualify. He explained that when applying, four short questions must be answered, each of which relate to the four pillars. Students also need signatures from administrators, teachers, and community members. LaRochelle is extremely excited to have been inducted and he looks forward to the future of the society.
“I feel like we as a team can help better what is already a great community,” LaRochelle said.
To the inductees and current members, the NHS has made a significant impact on their lives in various aspects.
“Students who wouldn’t normally associate with each other work together to better the school, and the community, for everyone,” said senior Julia Melloni. Although Melloni is graduating, she believes that co-advisors Brunelle and Randy Allain will continue to better the school’s chapter.
During the ceremony, current members lit five symbolic candles. Sam Pasquill lit the candle of knowledge from which the other four pillar candles were lit.
“The candlelight symbolizes our devotion to keeping these flames lit throughout our time as National Honor Society members,” announced Pasquill.
Brett Rood, an inductee, lit a memorial candle for previous members Dana Dourdeville and Becket Kiernan, both deceased, while Allain spoke of their contributions to the Honor Society before a moment of silence.
Lastly, treasurer Ainslee Bangs led the inductees as they swore their oath to the National Honor Society, in which they promised to “maintain and encourage high standards of scholarship, service, leadership and character.” Afterward each student was called forth to receive a certificate and to light a candle.
After the ceremony, the new members of the Honor Society gathered to celebrate with food, pictures, and congratulations.
The Honor Society’s newest members are as follows: Danya Bichsel, Emma Blouin, Marc Bourgeois, John Harrison Burke, Julia Cabral, Sara Campopiano, Marisa Cofone, Brielle Correia, Nicole Fantoni, Alexandra Fluegel, Ian Friedrichs, Pavanne Gleiman, Lauren Gonsalves, Lily Govoni, Sydney Green, Genevieve Grignetti, Daniel Hartley, Madeline Hartley, Mariana Hebert, Kacey Henriques, Amelia Isabelle, Hanbyul (Katy) Kang, Kaitlin Kelley, Logan King, Tyler Kulak, Jillian Kutash, Victoria Kvilhaug, Abigail Lacock, Nolan LaRochelle, Rosemary Loer, Michaela Mattson, Samantha Nicolosi, Avery O’Brien-Nichols, Carly O’Connell, Elise Parker, Elsie Perry, Lauren Pina, Lily Pearl Poirier, Leah Przybyszewski, Meghan Rebello, Harrison Riley, Isabella Rodrigues, Brett Rood, Megan Shay, Claire Noble Shriver, Geneva Smith, Ashley Soares, Delaney Soucy, Michael Stack, Caitlin Stopka, Sara Sturtevant, Robert Sylvester, Adam Sylvia, Gates Tenerowicz, Nicholas Thayer, Natalia Wierzbicki, Raymond Williams, Alexander Wurl, Jacobs Yeomans, Lily Youngberg, and Lauren Ziino.
ORR Update
By Grace Mastroianni