North Shore High School students inducted into National Honor Society for Dance Arts

Twenty-four North Shore High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts during a celebratory ceremony on Oct. 28, recognizing their achievements in dance and dedication to the performing arts.

The event was held under the direction of Simone Kuranishi, North Shore’s director of dance, who welcomed students, families, and faculty to the ceremony. The school’s Select Dance Ensemble opened the program with a performance that drew praise from the audience.

“This was a beautiful moment to recognize both the artistry and discipline of our students,” Kuranishi said. The 2025–26 NHSDA officers were also officially sworn in. This year’s leadership includes Sylvia Gao as president, Olivia McCarthy as vice president, Juliana Meli as secretary, and Grace Harding as treasurer.

The new inductees are: Levi Blum, Mila Bojbasa, Dorothy Cai, Amalia Carpenter, Violet Curiale, Emma DeBlasio, Alessandra DeFilippis, Jane Espinosa De Rozas, Taheya Faruque, Margaret Friedberg, Gabrielle Glatt, Kieran Goff, Mila Hamm, Willow Lonigro, Ryan Marco, Amelia Marks, Damiana Mitchell, Jordan Murray, Anabelle Papaleo, Hudson Pasch, Alexis Rhodes, Trinity Sweeting, Hope Swinburne, and Isabella Thompson.

Each student took the NHSDA pledge before hearing from keynote speaker Steven Burgos, a world language teacher at North Shore. Burgos shared his personal connection to dance and recalled being voted “Best Dancer” in his high school yearbook. Kuranishi closed the ceremony with a heartfelt message to her students.

“To be a dancer is a gift,” she said. “Thank you for allowing me to teach you and be taught by you. It has been my honor to be your teacher.”
The National Honor Society for Dance Arts, a program of the National Dance Education Organization, recognizes outstanding students for their academic and artistic excellence in dance.