Deer Park High Inducts 55 Into National Honor Society

Cementing their commitment to academic excellence, 55 Deer Park High School students were recently welcomed into the National Honor Society during Deer Park’s 52nd annual induction ceremony at the school’s auditorium.

To begin the ceremony, Student Council President Daniela Zabbatino led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by addresses from NHS adviser James Henry and Superintendent of Schools Eva Demyen. She noted that it can be difficult for high schoolers to make the effort to excel when they are told by peers that it isn’t “cool” to do so. 

“It’s very cool to be smart,” Demyen told the students. “I’m so proud of you for being here this evening.”

“Tonight is not an honor to be taken lightly,” said Principal James Cummings, before advising the new inductees on the future impact of their selection to the society. 

“As you move forward and the world changes around you,” he told them, “remember the qualities that got you into the National Honor Society. They will still lead you to greatness in the real world.”

NHS President Kyle Devine provided a short history of the society, which holds four basic requirements for membership: scholarship, leadership, service and character. Four members of the NHS – Zabbatino, Vice President Ebne Rafi, Secretary Arianna Leo and Treasurer Taylor Price – spoke on and lit candles on the dais for each of the four tenets, respectively.

Joined by the rest of the current membership of the NHS, Devine and Leo then presented the new inductees and Rafi administered the NHS pledge. After receiving their certificates and pins, each student shared the flame of his or her individual candle – which in NHS tradition, represents learning – with the next in line until all of the new and old members’ candles were lit.

The ceremony was accompanied by a tasteful performance by the school’s chamber orchestra, led by Kathy Attard.

Info/photos courtesy of Greg Fasolino/Syntax