Adviser John Hellyer with new inductees
WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Music Modern Masters Honor Society at West Orange High School welcomed 31 new members to its ranks in a ceremony held in the Library Media Center on Nov. 19.
“We are very proud of the students in the Tri-M Music Honors Society and all of the students who participate in the many performing groups available to them at WOHS: concert choir, honors chamber choir, glee choir, jubilee choir, tenor and bass choir, treble choir, concert band, marching band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, wind ensemble, string orchestra, royal strings, spring musical, dance, step teams and more,” Tri-M adviser John Hellyer said. “We have a wealth of talent among these students and are thrilled we can provide so many opportunities for them to flourish. Tri-M encompasses the philanthropic and citizenship aspects of being a good performer. The students support their department and each other by volunteering for service at music and theater events. It is truly inspiring to see them as such advocates for each other.”
Requirements for acceptance into Tri-M include A’s in a student’s music/arts/dance class, A’s and B’s in other classes, and a recommendation from their teacher. In addition, students must complete eight hours of community service to the music department, such as ushering concerts and plays, or helping with band and color guard festivals. Students receive a certificate and Tri-M pin upon their induction, and seniors will receive a pink cord to wear at graduation in June.
“The importance of music as part of a well-rounded education could not be underscored any better than by the fact that the president and vice president of Tri-M also happen to be the salutatorian and valedictorian of the Class of 2020,” Hellyer said. “Tri-M encompasses the philanthropic and citizenship aspects of being a good performer and students support their department and each other by volunteering for service at music and theater events. It is truly inspiring to see them as such strong advocates for each other.”
Newly-inducted members are: Julian Adams, Allison Brizuela-Fernandez, Jorielyn Bunao, Julie Ann Depina, Alexa DeRonde, Meghan Ford-Titus, Esther Gratia, Celastina Hernandez Pemberton, Gabriel Infante, Lynn Isaac, Risa Kampel, Brithney Lachira, Emily Liew, Iliana Minervino, Christopher Mongelli, Rose Murphy-Braunstein, Joseph Nalieth, Ayush Narain, Kevin Ng, Marcus Oshiro, Alexis Palmere, Gabrielle Payne, Stephany Reyes, Nicole Rojas, Jillian Russell, Shrey Sanghvi, Emma Svetvilas, Mellany Smith, Israel Soto Jr., Oscar Su and Kaiya Thorton.
TRI-M Chapter 2854 officers this year are President Brett Zeligson, Vice President Anika Fernandes, secretary Steve Brizuela Fernandez, treasurer Johan Vasquez, orchestra liaison Ziyana Amanuel, band liaisons Ruth Donagher and Jennifer Maciejak, chorus liaison Joseph Florendo, and drama liaison Veena Steaphen.
Photos Courtesy of WOSD
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