WEST ORANGE, NJ — The National Honor Society inductions were held on May 23 at West Orange High School, welcoming 66 juniors and seniors into its prestigious ranks.
Co-advisers Anna D’Elia and Olivia Del Spina organized and emceed the event along with the 2017-18 officers: President Charles Aborisad, Vice President Gerard Eatman, secretary Tanveer Qureshi and treasurer Anna Favetta.
Principal Hayden Moore welcomed students, teachers and family members to the ceremony, which is built upon the four pillars of scholarship, leadership, service and character. The National Honor Society was established in 1921 to uphold these values. Students must complete an application and essay and have a grade-point average of 3.55 or higher for consideration into the NHS.
“Tonight, we congratulate and recognize several of our juniors and seniors for their outstanding academic performance, leadership and dedication to community service,” Moore said. “The administration is very proud of these students, and their strong work ethic has set the bar high for future Mountaineers.”
Several inductees wrote essays about a teacher who has impacted their lives, and this year, music teacher Erin Lagatic was recognized for her dedication and commitment to the students at WOHS with the Influential Teacher Award. She was introduced by student Julia Edelman, who described how Lagatic has encouraged and inspired her over the years. Lagatic teaches music and music theory, leads Concert Band and Symphonic Winds, leads the Pit Orchestra, and works with the Marching Band and Winter Color Guard.
“Inspiration comes from many different things in my career. I find inspiration from the community in which we work, and you live, and grow up and raise your families,” Lagatic said, describing the tolerance and passion of parents and students. “Inspiration comes from our school leaders … who work tirelessly to provide us with a positive, supportive environment and the tools we need to do our job. By far my biggest inspiration and my drive and passion for teaching comes from you, the students.
“Each year I am amazed at the display of talent in West Orange. Having the opportunity to connect kids and music each day brings me so much joy. Seeing our students perform at the highest level of their ability is the number one reason I am here,” Lagatic concluded.
New WOHS National Honor Society inductees are: Aysar Abdelgelil, Alisson Amador Ponce, Maribel Andrade, Erin Arnold, Kayleigh Arnold, Kokeb Berhane, Aarushi Bhatnagar, Jordan Broking, David Campbell, Orianna Carter, Kaitlyn Charles, Morgan Clark, Jocelyn Cuevas, Amber Dalmacy, Sessina Dani, Rebecca Dannemiller, Celeste Dayal, Max Dickman, Destiny Diggs-Pinto, Jhormary Dominiguez,
Zackary Dong, Racheal Ezomo, Daniel Feinblatt, Isabella Feliciano, Nyah Harper, Andy Inguil, Eniya Jaber, Nathan Jacobs, Serena King, Sneha Kumar, Evely Lliguicota, Emily Lux, Michael McCullom, Connor Mills, Riddhi Modi, Siddhi Modi, Colin Morgan, Pierce Moul, Beaman Negash, Aaron Oshiro, Taewon Park, Maggie Parker, Proggya Paromita, Grace Perincheril, Mike Petros, Anthony Petrucci, Ben Raymon, Ryan Retino, Zoe Rivera, Jared Robertson, Santuago Salinas, Alynna Sanchez, Emily Sarett, Michael Schweidel, Ameera Seetahal, Truman Segal, Veronica Stroh, Sanjay Thampi, Jaden Thompson, Shane Trudge, Hannah Villasin, Ruthanne Ward, Emily Weingold, Musie Weldeghergis, Hannah Winter and Saleme Woldai.
Photos Courtesy of WOSD
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