MMI Preparatory School recently inducted new members of the National Honor Society, Andrew J. Stofan Chapter.
MMI Head of School Thomas G. Hood welcomed guests. Adviser and faculty member Donna Titus gave opening remarks and Assistant Head of School Charles Seidel introduced the speaker.
Attorney Matthew Muckler ’01 served as speaker for the induction ceremony. He is an assistant district attorney and chief of the Juvenile Unit Division in the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. He assisted in revising the juvenile procedures and protocols of the District Attorney’s Office in the wake of the “Kids for Cash” scandal. He holds a juris doctor degree from Penn State University’s Dickinson School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from St. Joseph’s University.
During the induction ceremony, chapter officers gave presentations on the criteria of the National Honor Society for its membership. Historian Joseph Synoski presented the history, Secretary James Gabrielle spoke about service, Treasurer Andrew Haber spoke about character and Vice President Soprina Guarneri spoke about scholarship. President Rachel Stanziola gave a speech on leadership and inducted the new members of the society.
The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. NHS honors those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921.
Membership in the National Honor Society recognizes students for their accomplishments and also challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.
MMI’s new NHS inductees are:
Seniors: Alessandra Ortiz, daughter of John and Cynthia Ortiz, Sugarloaf; and Nicolas Vilov, grandson of Momir and Anka Vilov, Hazleton, and son of Nikola and Lelija Vilov, Novo Sarajevo, Bosnia.
Sophomores: Ali Aijaz, son of Fakhruddin and Naghma Aijaz, Mountaintop; Niklas Byriel, son of Julia Byriel, Mountaintop, and the late Kim Byriel; Dana Carrato, daughter of Anthony and Carmine Carrato, Hazleton; Anirban Chowdhury; son of Bhaskar and Saumitri Chowdhury, Hazle Township; Kevin Cibak, son of James and Deirdre Cibak, Sugarloaf; Gabriella DeMelfi, son of Daniel and Esme DeMelfi, Hazleton; Evan Dryfoos, son of Llewellyn and Maura Dryfoos, Sugarloaf; Katie Eschenbach, daughter of David and Maureen Eschenbach, Drums; Ryan Eschenbach, son of David and Maureen Eschenbach, Drums; Garrett Kost, son of Joseph and Natalie Kost, Freeland; Joey Kress, daughter of Jessica Holliday, Drums, and Joseph and Tracy Kress, Sugarloaf; Kayla Leonard, daughter of Gregory and Karen Leonard, Hazle Township; Megan Marchetti, daughter of David and Andrea Marchetti, Freeland; Allison McGeehan, daughter of Thomas and Sandra McGeehan, Drums; Dillon Merenich, son of Michael and Cindy Merenich, Freeland; Olivia Minzola, daughter of Joseph and Debra Minzola, Drums; Athena Nicholas, daughter of Anna Jean Muckler, Hazleton; Keenan Overa, son of Timothy and Lori Overa, Drums; Kisan Patel, son of Dilipkumar and Minaben Patel, Mountaintop; Danielle Pileggi, daughter of Daniel and Sandra Pileggi, Albrightsville; Lois Polashenski, daughter of Robert and Kathleen Polashenski, Freeland; Erin Sari, daughter of Izzet and Mumine Sari, Sugarloaf; Samuel Sessock, son of Jennifer and James Denion, Freeland, and the late John Sessock; Dylan Slusser, son of Amy St. Pierre, Drums, and Christopher Slusser, Sugarloaf; Jessica Smith, daughter of Jonathan Smith and Beatrice Russo-Smith, White Haven; Jonathan Smith, son of Jonathan Smith and Beatrice Russo-Smith, White Haven; Evan Spear, son of William and Marylynne Spear, Hazleton; Daniel Tron, son of Eduardo and Graciela Bianco, Mountaintop; and Nicholas Young, son of Christian and Nicole Young, Freeland.
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