Dedham Middle School Holds NJHS Induction Ceremony

Dedham Middle School Principal Debra Gately and Vice Principal Dr. Margo Fraczek, take great pride in their student`s academic performance. At the end of each term, the pair of educators hold a recognition ceremony to pay tribute to the 6-8th grade boys and girls that have achieved honors. Each Spring however, is the opportunity to recognize “the best of the best.”

Throughout the school year, the students in grades 6 and 7 are judged, not only in the area of Scholarship, but by their accomplishments in Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. These are the “five qualities” to be considered for induction in to the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).

In 1929, the National Association of Secondary School Principals established the NJHS. This organization comes on the heels of the 1921 National Honor Society.

Both groups were the first in the nation, to honor Middle School and High School students, not only for their academic achievements, but for their active involvement in school activities and community affairs. Today, more than one million boys and girls across the United States, participate in the Honor Society.

For each school in America, there are special teacher/advisors, along with an anonymous group of faculty members, who review recommendation forms and make the final decision about who will be invited to join. Once inducted, students must maintain a high grade level and become involved in their school and their community.

This year, the NJHS members from the Dedham Middle School raised money for the Don Heald Fund and the Boston Strong One Fund. They participated in the Cystic Fibrosis Walk and helped clean the banks of the Charles River and neighboring parks on Earth Day. There was volunteer work with patients at Newbridge on the Charles and food drives for the Dedham Food Pantry, just to name a few.

On Monday June 10, DMS Principal Gately, Vice Principal Fraczek, and teacher/advisors Sarah Tapply and Arielle Sutton, held their annual Induction / Moving-on Ceremony at the school. Nine new 7th grade students joined the current 22 members of this class.

A record 37, 6th grade students were inducted in to the NJHS and tribute was paid to the 29, 8th grade members preparing to leave for high school. DMS President Maggie Rocha, was joined on stage by Vice President Alejandro Castro-Fernandez, Secretary Matthew Wilcox, 8th grade Service Coordinator Alex McPherson and 7th grade Officer Corey Kilroy.

The group spoke to the crowd about the high standards expected of them and reminded them to stay loyal to their school and their town. Congratulations to the new students inducted and our Best Wishes to the students moving up!

New 7th grade members of the National Junior Honor Society include: Kalyn Ashby, Caroline Bell, Olivia Brancato, Declan Francis, Caroline Hathaway, Julia Mercer, Joseph Reen, Davin Sweeney and Shanaya Theodore.

Newly inducted 6th grade students are: Maya Acosta, Anthony Amaru, Weilin Berkey, Laura Berry, Ava Bevilacqua, Hunter Broadbent, Isabelle Bruneau, Bridgette Crowley, Megan Curristin, Maria Desario, PJ DeVirgilio, Anexis Diamond, Danica Dignan, Jared Duane, Isabella Duchini, Erin Dwyer, Molly Egan, Sydney Haelsen, Alec Laurino, Amelia Layne, Jack Linari, Allison Logan, Jonathan Lombardi, Delaney MacDougall, Kyle Martens, Maleka McBarnett, Michael Murray, Gina Pasciuto, Lisa Petrie, Maeve Quilty, Jacquelin Sawer, Jessica Shanahan, Saronya Springer, Wyatt Staton-Todaro, Jacinda Sterlin, Dylan Uhrmann, and Tyler Vo.