Schools
62 High School Students Honored
National Honor Society induction ceremony recognizes scholarship, leadership, character and service.
Darien High School's "best of the best," 62 juniors and seniors, were inducted into the National Honor Society in a candlelit ceremony in the school auditorium on Wednesday evening.
"These are the quintessential well-rounded students who are the best of the best," said principal Dan Haron. "These phenomenal students are role models for everyone, both within the high school community and the larger community."
To qualify for selection, each student had to achieve a 3.7 grade point average on a scale of 4 in the fall semester of the junior or senior year. They were chosen by a faculty panel from among the junior class of 326 students and senior class of 287.
Beyond academic achievement, each student had to demonstrate through a formal application, personal essay and personal recommendation, special qualities of character, leadership and service, explained Christian Holmes, senior and current president of Darien's NHS chapter.
Where the academic requirement intends to foster "the lasting benefits of a cultivated mind," the service component encourages students "to help others without recognition and without financial incentive," said NHS vice president Kaitlin Maier.
Many students volunteer at Darien's Person to Person, at Norwalk's Steppingstones Children's Museum and at Bridgeport's Habitat for Humanity to fulfill the service requirement, said Holmes, who directs the child car seat project at Person to Person.
Inductees heard from many fellow NHS members. NHS historian Timothy Wescott spoke of leadership as a substantive, ongoing requirement. Brendan Wong, NHS treasurer, emphasized "character," a unique force within each individual which must be nurtured on a daily basis, he said.
As NHS members, each of the 62 students will support their peers, volunteering their time as math, science and English tutors.
Mathematics coordinator Michael O'Brien was inducted as an honorary NHS member.
Maier introduced O'Brien as a popular calculus instructor who makes a point of highlighting real-life applications of calculus for students who may question whether they will put their esoteric knowledge to practical use.
He's also a celebrated jokester, said Maier of O'Brien's ability to combine math with wit, and a sense of humor.
One of O'Brien's favorites: What would you call 1,000 rabbits running backward? Answer: a receding hareline.
O'Brien said he was "honored and humbled" to accept the honorary designation.
He charged the students with a dictum borrowed from Abraham Lincoln:
"Whatever you are, be a good one!"
The Tudor Singers, an a cappella group of 25 voices, sang a Korean folksong and a modern arrangement of "Ave Maria."
The Jan. 6, 2010 inductees to the Darien Chapter of the National Honor Society are as follows:
- Ajomagberin Olaide
- Amyotte Marin
- Ashcraft Alexandra
- Black Christopher
- Blankemeier Thomas
- Bolton Lee
- Boulton Julia
- Brown Perrin
- Cameron Kathleen
- Campbell Daniel
- Cara Andrea
- Carey Kristin
- Cassidy Kevin
- Cavers Douglas
- Conley John
- Connell Gerianne
- Critelli Katherine
- Duwan Emily
- Gaete Cindy
- Gentile Matthew
- Gill Madeleine
- Gill Leslie
- Golino Matthew
- Granath Nicole
- Grozier Katherine
- Howe Dana
- Imbimbo Elsa
- Iqbal Alexandra
- Johnston Robert
- Juan William
- Kopp Sebastian
- Kyritz Kendall
- LaRock Paris
- Lee Cecillia
- Littell Lauren
- Malvisi Olivia
- Martin Mia
- Mauboussin Andrew
- Mazzoli Lauren
- McKay Katherine
- Meikle Joy
- Miller Elizabeth
- Morant Anna
- Morgan Charlotte
- Nelson Grant
- Noujaim Andrew
- Osborn Kendra
- Sandberg Audrey
- Schaffer Charlotte
- Sickinger Abigail
- Smelser Andrea
- Smith Sarah
- Snow Ashley
- Sommi Corinne
- Streeter Claire
- Tibbetts Laura
- Tilford Danielle
- Treesh Catherine
- Tuzinkiewicz Emma
- Tyler Lindsay
- Washer Luke
- Weihs Christopher
