Area students honored for character, citizenship

MIDDLEFIELD — The Independent Day School inducted 11 new members to the National Junior Honor Society Jan. 27, each of which demonstrates the five principles of the organization: scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship.

The IDS chapter is celebrating its fourth year of membership, according to a press release.

This year’s ceremony, held virtually, was led by Head of School Marijke Kehrhahn and NJHS Adviser Charlie Mitchell, with assistance from IDS graduates inducted in years past, who provided videos in which they described each of the five principles, according to the school.

The group included Andrew Foster, ’20, of Durham; Orr Teva, ’19, of East Hampton; Laura Colonna de Lega, ’18, of Middlefield; Ava Jacobson, ’21, of Killingworth; Alexandros Antonopoulos, ‘22, of Durham; Charlotte Iannucci, ‘21, of Middletown; Sarah Roberts, ‘22, Middletown; Cristina Antonopoulos, ‘21, of Durham; and Amber Michael, ‘22, of Middletown.

IDS began its membership to provide avenues for middle school students to excel and be recognized as outstanding members of the school community, it said. Students who achieve honor roll for two consecutive marking periods are invited to apply for NJHS membership.

Each must submit a personal essay, record of their community and school service, and a letter of recommendation from someone outside of IDS. Middle school faculty provide input on their observations of the candidates, the release said. Applications are reviewed by the Faculty Council and new members are selected.

The IDS chapter provides leadership through community projects and service, as well as student communications.

Contributed photo / Independent Day School A combined photo shows students inducted by the Independent Day School as members of the National Junior Honor Society. They included students from Middletown, Middlefield, Durham, Killingworth and East Hampton.