World Languages National Honor Societies hold induction ceremony at Mercy High School

World Languages National Honor Societies hold induction ceremony at Mercy High School

The La Societe Honoraire de Mercy, a chapter of La Societe Honoraire de Francais 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, Mercy High School’s chapter of Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, the Spanish National Honor Society inducted sixty-seven new members at Mercy High School this spring.

The ceremony began with a welcome given by Sr. Mary McCarthy, President of Mercy High School. This was followed by the opening prayer recited in Spanish by Jennifer Magnoli (Southington) incoming President of La Galatea. Opening remarks for the evening were given by Mrs. Patricia LaBella, World Language Instructor and Moderator of the Spanish NHS. All ninety-seven current members of the four World Language societies then recited the Statement of Faithfulness and Rededication.

Mrs. LaBella inducted and presided over the installation of officers before Riley Moynihan (Portland) Secretary and Samantha Girasulo (Wallingford) Treasurer explained the purposes and objectives of La Galatea. The new Inductees were presented by Magnoli and Vice President Jocelyn Stearns (Cromwell). This portion of the program finished with the presentation of certificates and roses and the candle lighting ceremony.

This international honor society is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese and the purpose is 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 for selection into the Society are character, leadership, seriousness of purpose, cooperation, honesty, service and commitment to others.

Mr. Kosi Etse, Moderator for LaSociete Honaraire and World Language Teacher French presided over the installation for Officers. Newly instated officer Marison Vazquez (Hartford) Treasurer and Megan Alexander (Hebron) Secretary recited the Purposes and Objectives. Marilyn Vazquez (Hartford) President and Ariana Puglisi (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 entered the Society must have a 90% or higher average in their study of French and must have an 80% school-wide average. Other criteria for the selection into the Society are character, honesty, and a commitment of service to others.

Ms. Daniela Aparo, World Language Teacher Italian teacher and Moderator of La Societa Onoraria Italica presented and installed the new officers of the Italian National Honor Society. Alison Chase (Haddam Neck) Secretary and Allison Vess (Cromwell) Treasurer read the Purposes and Objectives of the Society. President, Juliana Claudio (Cromwell) and Vice President Katherine Hall (Clinton) presented the inductees. Following the presentation of certificates and roses, all inductees gave the honor society pledge.

Membership to the Chapter is restricted to students enrolled in classes of Italian beyond the second year and must achieve a 90% or higher average in her study of Italian along with an 80% school-wide average. The number of students elected in any single year cannot exceed 30% 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 holds the honor of being one of the largest youth organizations in the world. In order to become a member of the Latin National Honor Society, a student must be in her third semester of Latin with a 90% or above cumulative average in Latin and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in other courses.

Presentation and Installation of Officers for the Latin National Honor Society was conferred by Mrs. Jessica Hall, Moderator and World Language and History Instructor. Presentation of Inductees was given by out-going president, Samantha Griswold (Hebron). Incoming officers for Pietas are: Jaime Murphy (North Branford) Vice President, Olivia Pereira (Durham) Secretary, Adriana Kandro (Portland) Treasurer. Incoming president Caroline Thompson (Portland) gave the closing prayer in Latin following the congratulatory remarks given by Sr. Mary McCarthy. As the song, We Are The World played, all members of each of the societies processed out and joined their families and friends for the reception hosted by the Home and School Association.

Newly inducted members of the ITALIAN NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY are:
Class of 2019: Grayson Barnes (Berlin), Alessandra Fronc (Durham), Haley Lombardo (Wethersfield), Janelle Marrero (Middletown)

Newly inducted members of the LATIN NATIONAL HONOR 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 the FRENCH NATIONAL HONOR 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 NATIONAL HONOR 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)