The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
World languages national honor societies induct members
MIDDLETOWN >> The Mercy High School Spanish National Honor Society inducted 67 new student members this spring.
Groups that took part included La Societe Honoraire de Mercy, a chapter of the International French Honor Society, along with PIETAS, Mercy’s Latin Honor Society; Caterina di Siena a chapter of Società Onoraria Italica, the International Italian Honor Society and La Galatea and Mercy’s chapter of Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, according to a press release.
The ceremony began with a welcome given by Sr. Mary McCarthy, president of Mercy, and was followed by the opening prayer recited in Spanish by Jennifer Magnoli (of Southington), incoming president of La Galatea. All 97 members of the four World Language societies recited the Statement of Faithfulness and Rededication.
Mrs. LaBella inducted and presided over the installation of officers before Riley Moynihan, (of Portland) secretary, and Samantha Girasulo (of Wallingford), treasurer, explained the objectives of La Galatea, the release continues. The new inductees were presented by Magnoli and Vice President Jocelyn Stearns (of Cromwell). It concluded with the presentation of certificates and roses and a candle-lighting ceremony.
This international honor society is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese and works to recognize high achievement in Spanish and to promote continuity of interest in Spanish/Hispanic studies. Membership is open to those students who have maintained an honor average in the study of Spanish for at least three semesters at Mercy. All candidates must have at least an A- average in Spanish and an overall B academic average. Other criteria are character, leadership, seriousness of purpose, cooperation, honesty, service and commitment to others.
Newly instated officer Marison Vazquez (of Hartford), treasurer, and Megan Alexander, (of Hebron) secretary, recited the Purposes and Objectives. Marilyn Vazquez (of Hartford), president, and Ariana Puglisi (of Cheshire), vice president, presented the new inductees who were given their certificates and roses.
The French Honor Society is a national organization sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French to promote and recognize scholastic achievement in the study of French. Students who enter must have a 90 percent or higher average in their study of French and must have an 80 percent school-wide average, the release says. Other criteria are character, honesty and a commitment of service to others.
New officers of the Italian National Honor Society were also installed. Alison Chase (Haddam Neck), secretary, and Allison Vess (Cromwell), treasurer, read the objectives. President Juliana Claudio (Cromwell) and Vice President Katherine Hall (Clinton) presented the inductees.
Membership is restricted to students enrolled in classes of Italian beyond the second year and must achieve a 90 percent or higher average in her study of Italian along with an 80 percent school-wide average. The number of students elected in any single year cannot exceed 30 percent of all students studying Italian at Mercy.
PIETAS is associated with The National Junior Classical League, an organization for middle and high school students in classical courses. NJCL is one of the largest youth organizations in the world, according to Mercy. In order to become a member, a student must be in her third semester of Latin with a 90 percent or above cumulative average in Latin and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in other courses.
Presentation of inductees was given by outgoing president, Samantha Griswold (Hebron). Incoming officers are: Jaime Murphy (North Branford), vice president, Olivia Pereira (Durham), secretary, and Adriana Kandro (Portland), treasurer. Incoming president Caroline Thompson (Portland) gave the closing prayer in Latin.
Newly inducted Italian society members are:
Class of 2019: Grayson Barnes (Berlin), Alessandra Fronc (Durham), Haley Lombardo (Wethersfield), Janelle Marrero (Middletown)
Newly inducted members of Latin society are:
Class of 2018: Rita Sherban (Northford), Jocelyn Stearns (Cromwell)
Class of 2019: Kellyanne Cahill (Cromwell), Grace Delaney (Portland), Kaitlyn Leahy
(Durham), Jordyn Masse (Old Saybrook), Bridget Morris (Durham), Hannah Wu (Durham)
Newly inducted members of French society are:
Class of 2018: YiQing ‘Wendy’ Li (Middletown), Hanting “Heidy” Wang (Middletown), Shenyang “Samantha” Zhang (Cromwell)
Class of 2019: Ilyszha Agasino (Cromwell), Caroline Gmyrek (Middlefield), Caroline Kilian (Middletown), Bianca LaBella (Middletown), Leah Nenninger (Haddam), Bridget Neri (Westbrook), Madeline O’Hanlon (Haddam), Sarah San Vicente (Higganum), Yue “Emily” Yin (Wethersfield)
Newly inducted members of the Spanish society are:
Class of 2017: Kelly Barry (Portland)
Class of 2019 Ava Amendola (Portland), Jordyn Beck (Middletown), Brooklyn Bradley (Rocky Hill), Kaci Buono (Wallingford), Kelsey Caramanica (Deep River), Halle Carroll (Glastonbury), Rachael Cipolla (Ivoryton), Alexandra Duque (East Haven), Olivia Dworak (Cromwell), Alexandra Dwyer (Wallingford), Marie Emerson (Killingworth), Sophia Finkeldey (Ivoryton), Emily Frost (Middletown), Mara Geisler (Wallingford), Mae Grochowski (Wallingford), Alyssa Grosso (Middletown), Morgan Hughes (Middletown), Janae James (Middletown), Kaitlyn Kelsey (Amston), Kameryn King (Old Saybrook), Nell Kordalski (Berlin), Yining “Ivy” Liang (Rocky Hill), Olivia LoGiudice (Middletown), Isabella Lucibello (Northford), Lina Luzietti (Killingworth), Julie Marciano (Southington), Fiona McCormack (Cheshire), Isabella McGrath (East Haddam), Ava McLachlan (Essex), Mira Pianta (Colchester), Sophia Pirolli (Lebanon), Quincy Platt (Higganum), Gabriella Pokorski (New Britain), Catryn Rhoden (Cromwell), Madeline Richardson (Southington), Annmarie Rotatori (Wethersfield), Olivia Russell (Middletown), Abigail Smith (Killingworth), Ava Stearns (Cromwell), Hannah Stevens (Middletown), Cecilia Vess (Cromwell), Madison Webster (Middletown)