YOUTH ON THE GO
New Paltz High School inducted 61 students into the ranks of its National Honor Society on March 27.
Society President Kylie Ayala spoke about the four qualities — known as the Four Pillars —required to be an society member: Scholarship, service, leadership, and character. She then introduced several society officers, who each lit a ceremonial candle after speaking about what one of the pillars meant to them.
Discussing the trait of scholarship, society Vice President Sofia Loyer quoted Nelson Mandela: “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination, but when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.” Society Recording Secretary Sofia Carucci commented on the members’ commitment to volunteering their time and their talents before lighting the service candle.
Treasurer Julia Pankowska spoke about leadership. Society Corresponding Secretary Lauren Stolfe, speaking about character, shared the following words from Helen Keller: “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
In addition to meeting the four characteristics, students must have a grade point average of 3.65 or higher to be eligible for society membership.
New Paltz Superintendent Steve Gratto pointed out that the society inductees are exceptionally well-rounded and engaged in their school community. The profile of each inductee supported his point, describing the students’ involvement in sports, languages, sciences, dance, STEM programs, theater, clubs, and more. Character traits such as “driven,” “optimistic,” and “committed” were cited in their descriptions, as were high grade point average, after-school jobs, community involvement, and volunteerism.
The aspirations of the society inductees, which were reiterated in biographies as the students received their membership pins, included medical school, traveling, healthcare administration, aeronautical engineering, law school, theater, language and cultural studies, and the desire to “make the world a better place.”
“Many congratulations to our newest National Honor Society members,” said New Paltz High Principal Samuelle Simms to the inductees. “I would like to congratulate the students being honored today for your achievements in leadership, community service, scholarship, and character, which are shown through the hard work and dedication that each of you have displayed.”
The 2022-2023 inductees are Marzan Akther, Laiba Amjab, Mia Belmar, Hanna Buekelman, Riley Burdick, Piper Casey, Darren Chen, Naomi Chesky, Katherine Cholakis, Raamina Chowdhury, Claire Coiteux, Julia Combs, Kaylie DeGrassi, Guiliana DiBenedetto, Margaret DiDonna, Flavia Drazek, Thornton Eis, Charles Ettinger, Hannah Ettinger, Beckett Evans, Mason Eyler, Marla Mae Feeney, Sofie Figueroa, Aurora Gerber, Eva Goldschein, Anna Goodman, Avery Greger, Grace Hacker, Campbell Heiz, Sadia Islam, Stella Keskey, Ana Kirsch, Melanie Kniffin, Marcus Kutzin, Nicholas Kutzin, Gray Lobell, Rebecca Lucchesi, Gabriella Lutz, Jonathan Lynn, Addison MacDonald, Jahara Maliha, Kalle Masseo, Mackenzie McPadden-Gambler, Dylan McQuade-Dolan, Yobana Mercado-Nunez, Soleil Miller, Trey Nitza, Quinn Oremus, Katie Otis, Daphne Paul-LaRonca, Parker Reed, Mae Rogers, Georgia Schultz, Santino Scilla, Oscar Vandermer, Savino Ventura, Brooke Vos, Lucas Weinman, Henry Wheeler, Koby Wulfmeyer, and Aili Zissu.
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Ellenville High School student Mya Espinosa was named a 2023 Outstanding Student Delegate by the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute at the Hudson Valley Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network at Southern Westchester BOCES.
The institute’s purpose is to foster the leadership skills of Hispanic students, introducing them to New York state’s legislative process where they may interact with positive role models such as Puerto Rican/Hispanic elected officials, educators, and business leaders. Every year, youngsters from the Hudson Valley, along with other delegations around the state, participate in a series of free training sessions at the Education Resource Network for a total of 30 hours from October through March.
This year, Espinosa, a senior, was one of 16 students from the Hudson Valley who were selected to participate in the annual Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute in Albany. The Hudson Valley delegation selects two seniors and one junior as outstanding student delegates. These students are recognized for their excellent skills in taking initiative and preparing for debates, as well as exemplary leadership throughout the training sessions.
As an outstanding student, Espinosa will be participating in a trip to Washington D.C. this June, where she and other recipients will tour the nation’s capital, visit famous historical landmarks and monuments, and speak with members of Congress to discuss issues that are important to young people.