It all began back in 1929. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) established the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). This organization came on the heels of the National Honor Society (1921-high schools), and was founded to recognize students – not only for their academic achievements – but to encourage involvement within the school and the community.
During the school year, students in grades 6 and 7 are judged by their accomplishments in the “five qualities” deemed necessary to be considered for induction in to the NJHS. These special qualities include: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship.
Dedham Middle School Principal Debra Gately and Vice Principal Margo Fraczek both take great pride in their students and their academic performance.
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Nearing the end of each school year in May, those students that are academically eligible (all A`s and B`s) are asked to answer questions and write a brief story describing themselves and their accomplishments around Town. An anonymous group of faculty members then has the formidable task of reviewing each applicant and choosing what Principal Gately described as “the best of the best.”
Recently, the Dedham Middle School held their Annual Awards Ceremony, inducting 33 new members in to the NJHS from grade 6, adding 9 new members to grade 7, and honoring the 29 current students in grade 8.
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The Induction Ceremony was presented by DMS teacher advisors Sarah Tapply and Arielle Sutton. The pair praised the students for their hard work and dedication. Combined, “this group has performed over 1,000 hours of community service work and maintained Honor/High Honor grades.” “These students before you, have not only improved our school, but the community as a whole.”
The full house inside the DMS auditorium, then heard from this year`s NJHS President Rena Coben, Vice President Nick Mercuri, Secretary Alannah Heffernan, and Service Coordinators Corey Kilroy and Ava Bevilacqua.
The group then pledged to uphold the principals of the National Junior Honor Society and be loyal to their school and encourage these high standards. Newly inducted members were called to the stage to receive their certificates, while out-going 8th graders received their NJHS pins.
The newly inducted 6th grade members are: Grace Barrett, Braelyn Belanger, Dean Boecher, Emma Dello Iacono, Joseph Dooley, Julia Doyle, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Aidan Gordon, Ciara Heffernan, Shane Hoey, Victoria Horard, Hannah Hunter, Megan Keane, Caroline Kelleher, Colleen Kelly, Kara Kilroy, Samuel King, Connor Laurino, Andrew Mercuri, Audrey Morse, Alondra Msallem, Amanda Noonan, Griffin O`Connor, Josh Pfeifer, Maren Raposo, Allison Reilly, Brandon Robinson, Jack Roslonek, Julia Salemy, Thomas Salemy, Jenna Soucie, Kyra Tolley, and Carolyn Tuite.
Added to the grade 7 class: William Chu, Tuyen Dang, Kathryn Hunter, Alez Lapsys, Joshua Minard, Shawn Nosky, Gianna Sciarappa, Patricia Somera, and Tai Thurber.
Out-going members of grade 8 include: Caitlin Alves, Kalyn Ashby, Caroline Barkowitz, Marley Belanger, Caroline Bell, Katherine Bondar, Olivia Brancato, Alyssa Casali, Rena Coben, Allison Diehl, Maggie Dolt, Declan Francis, Emma Francis, Ashley Gilarde, Caroline Hathaway, Alannah Heffernan, Abby Jenest, Corey Kilroy, Jason Leonard, Caroline McAuliffe, Julia Mercer, Nicolas Mercuri, Kyle Micciche, Alexander Pappas- McAllister, Joseph Reen, Olivia Stipo, Christopher Stronach, Davin Sweeney, and Shanaya Theodore.
Congratulations to all those involved!Story and Photos by: Joe Kilroy
