Celebrating excellence: Johnston High's National Honor Society chapter holds induction ceremony

FOUR VIRTUES: Senior officers of the Johnston High School chapter of the National Honor Society hold the four candles that signify the virtues of scholarship, character, leadership, and service. They are, from left, Joely Centracchio, Rachel Graziano, Erica Perkins, and Ibrahim Abaherah.

Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine

SENIOR INDUCTEES: There were plenty of smiles on the faces of those seniors who were inducted into the prestigious local chapter of the National Honor Society.

FOSTERING EXCELLENCE: The Faculty Council for Johnston High chapter includes Jason Achilli, Michael Taraborelli, Jean Picano, Susan Volante, Donna Palumbo, and Jennifer Sousa.

ALL SMILES: Seniors Jen Cioffi, Nina Carnevale, and Sophia Ferrario are all smiles after receiving flowers following their induction into the National Honor Society last week.

KICKING THINGS OFF: With senior officers Joely Centracchio, Erica Perkins, and Rachel Graziano looking on, Diondra Stubbs sings during the induction ceremony.

Posted Thursday, May 19, 2016 11:14 am

By Pete Fontaine

They recognized the musical talents of Joely Centracchio, Davina Phouthakoun, and Diondra Stubbs.

They recognized the educational excellence of 37 seniors, 17 juniors, and 27 sophomores.

They recognized educator extraordinaire Jean Picano as a source of daily personal inspiration, and for her long and valued service to students.

All of this came on a night that included pomp and circumstance and music, mixed with memories and milestones of the newest members of prestigious Johnston High School chapter of the National Honor Society.

From the time Stubbs sang the processional until the lighting of five candles – representing knowledge and the four virtues of character, scholarship, leadership, and service that are required for membership into the society – and Phoutakoun’s singing of the powerful recessional, last Wednesday night’s ceremony shined brightly on the academic accomplishments of each and every inductee.

“This evening is one of the happiest in the course of the school year,” Principal Zachary S. Farrell said. “It is my honor and privilege to recognize our best and brightest students.”

Farrell also praised and thanked Picano, a teacher who serves as chair of the Johnston High mathematics department as well as the National Honor Society and Student Council advisor, for her hard work and dedication.

“Our ceremony this evening serves as a connection that binds us with those whom have gone before in the spirit of the four traits – character, scholarship, leadership, and service – and it provides our school community with continuity in this tradition,” he said. “The light of the candles provides a symbol of how these four traits will illuminate your mind and works for years to come, and reminds us of how this constellation assembled before us brightens our school and our community.”

Meanwhile, Picano told students to never forget where they came from as they embark upon their future endeavors.

Picano told a story about the world’s richest man and his son, who were sitting at the same dinner table. She related how the son gave a $500 tip, and the richest man gave only $5.

“He is the son of the world’s richest man,” Picano said. “But I am the son of a wood cutter. Never forget your past. Your roots are the foundation of your existence. It’s where you belong. Life is hard, no doubt. Fortunately, we can learn to be better people without forgetting our origins.”

She thanked the seniors for everything they’ve done and encouraged them to reach for the stars, saying: “They are closer than you think!”

Perhaps Ibrahim Abaherah, who served as president of the senior members of the honor society, said it best.

“Before I end this speech, I want to share two very important lessons with you,” Abaherah said. “The first one is to be the best you can be – you are the role model of those around you every day. And second, be true to yourself – always be true to yourself.”

The senior inductees are Laura Arrango, Ibrahim Abaherah, Emma Almonte, Katerina Athaide, Jenna Bouchard, Taylor Campagnone, Joely Centracchio, Jennifer Cioffi, Natalie DeAngelis, Kristina DiMascio, Sophia Ferrario, Edward Gallucci II, Austin Gosetti, Rachel Graziano, Jenny Jobe, Victoria Johnston, Domenic Loffredo, Jordan McHale, Brian McKay, Gillian Melikian, Brianna Messa, Lauren Messier, Gian Paola, Steven Parillo, Erica Perkins, Davina Phouthakoun, James Pizzi, Mackenzie Plouffe, Mia Quirini, Nicholas Raposa, Amanda Rocha, Valentina Rossell, Irene Sanchez, Andrew Sano, Nicholas Spinlla, Diondra Stubbs, and Chloe Tibets.

The junior inductees are Nour Abaherah, Adam Bouchard, Anthony Cabral, Nina Carnevale, Isabel Connors, Lindsey Frein, Karla Gonzalez, Veronica Lamoureux-Sloane, Zachary McFarlane, Kristiana Parrillo, Hillary Rogers, Vanida Singharath, Zachary Szumita, and Aristides Tejeda.

The sophomore inductees are Abigail Agnew, Grace Almonte, Gianna Aquilante, Taylor Bernier, Aley Blakney, Benjamin Budway, Lauren Civetti, Jacob Cooke, Fallon Davis, Alex DiRaimo, Sara Echeverria, Matthew Eisemann, Adam Gobielle, Philip Jessop, Alyssa Johnson, Michael Mollicone, Yuvia Morales, Jordan Moretti, Joseph Najm, Madison Paolucci, Lauren Papa, Alyssa Pizzi, Madison Plouffe, Grabiella Scarella, Randy Urena, Allison Vesella, Emily Watson.