School News

Wantagh HS National Honor Society inducts 81

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The Wantagh High School National Honor Society inducted 81 students into the organization. Adviser Kali Psihos, far left, stood with the executive board at the candlelighting ceremony. on Nov. 28.
The Wantagh High School National Honor Society inducted 81 students into the organization. Adviser Kali Psihos, far left, stood with the executive board at the candlelighting ceremony. on Nov. 28.
Courtesy Wantagh School District

Wantagh High School’s National Honor Society inducted 81 new members during a traditional candlelighting ceremony, held in the auditorium on Nov. 28. The evening featured words of wisdom from administrators, musical interludes by the high school’s string chamber ensemble and a rendition of the national anthem by Lindsay Whiteman.

Principal Carolyn Breivogel relayed a story reminding the students that “actions are more powerful than words,” while Superintendent of Schools John C. McNamara noted that the inductees most probably had to make sacrifices along the way, but chose to stay the course. Board of Education President Keira McLoughlin also remarked “tiny, decent things make your character and help to build your community.”

Mindy Dragovich, the keynote speaker and band director at the school, advised the inductees to “learn to play the game of life by your rules.” She also encouraged them, upon waking up each morning, to prevent being bombarded by social media, so to reflect on what to be grateful for and set goals for the day. “By doing this, you will contact your subconscious and stay true to who you are,” she said.  

NHS trustees Samantha Cashton, Ryan McCarty, Keriann Steingruebner and Sarah Valvo lit the ceremonial candles, which represented the tenets of scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship. 81 students, who were led in the society’s pledge by Co-Vice Presidents Katherine Gifford and Olivia Zukowski, were then inducted into the group.

NHS Co-Presidents Michael Hennig and Kyleigh Watson congratulated the inductees and offered words of advice. “The reputation you leave behind will largely be determined by your character and the way you treat others,” Hennig said.