Long Beach Inducts National Honor, Junior Honor Society Members

In recognition of their demonstration of several exemplary qualities, students of Long Beach High School and Middle School were formally inducted into their respective honor societies.

The high school welcomed 94 new members into the Arista Chapter of the National Honor Society, while the middle school celebrated 90 National Junior Honor Society inductees.

The NHS participants were selected based on their ability to meet the four standards of scholarship, leadership, character and service. To kick off the evening, NHS Coordinator Nora Bellsey welcomed attendees and introduced Laura Capozzi, Jessica Piazza, Emma Rovitz and Alex Schneider as the student officers.

“When you commit to a project or organization, the feeling of fulfillment can be endless,” Ms. Bellsey said as she emphasized the value in making a difference to others.

National Honor Society members have acted as ambassadors for the Give Kids a Smile program, helped support the Christmas angels and assisted at an Empty Bowls event for the Long Beach Soup Kitchen. They participated in food and donation drives, a movie night to support the Long Island Toy Lending Center, a trivia tournament to help St. Jude’s Hospital, a breast cancer awareness fundraiser, an autism awareness carnival and Cookies for Cameron sales to aid schools in West Africa. Members also volunteered countless hours as tutors, babysitters, coaches and ushers for school events, and served as tour guides for eighth-graders and prospective students from Island Park. They are planning for the upcoming Relay for Life event and a nursing home visit.

Board of Education President Darlene Tangney and Superintendent of Schools David Weiss acknowledged the new and current NHS members. Mr. Weiss shared the famous Carl Jung quote: “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” He discussed the role of NHS and other student volunteers in helping to build a stronger community, while Mrs. Tangney explained the significance of the NHS principles.

The lighting of four candles, representative of the standards, honored the new inductees as they were called up to the stage. The NHS recognizes a role model annually with the honorary membership distinction. This year, math teacher Patricia Fallon was chosen for her support of students and the school. The evening also included musical performances courtesy of the Symphonic Choir and Chamber Club.

The National Junior Honor Society welcomed new seventh- and eighth-grade members with a similar ceremony. Executive board members Joshua Kapilian, Talia Fernandez and Hannah Zeliger lit five candles symbolizing the ideals of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. NJHS participants serve the community in various capacities. This year, they volunteered at the Long Beach Public Library, Long Beach Reach and John Theissen Children’s Foundation and participated in the Cory Cares Food Drive, breast cancer fundraising, beach and bay clean-ups, Thanksgiving donations, church activities, snow shoveling, babysitting, Field of Honor and Relay for Life.

Submitted by Long Beach Schools

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