Burke Catholic inducts 36 students into National Honor Society

Goshen — Thirty-six juniors and seniors were inducted last week into the National Honor Society at John S. Burke Catholic High School. The National Honor Society has four tenets for membership: character, scholarship, leadership and service. Each of the young adults who were invited to apply for membership had to show the selection committee excellent scholarship, leadership in and out of school, good character and service to others in the greater community. Each of these pillars was represented by a candle throughout the ceremony. Msgr. James T. Byrnes, PhD, principal of Burke, presented all of the students with their NHS medals after Burke alumnus Breige O’Donnell-Smith addressed the students. O’Donnell-Smith is a 2001 graduate of Burke and currently a medical student. She emphasized that of the four pillars, character stands out the most to her. “We have a responsibility to use our strengths,” she said. “Honesty, respect, humility and selflessness play an equal role as scholarship, leadership and service. Never stop seeking answers. Define for yourself what it means to be a truly good human being.” Each inductee was presented with a yellow rose and a certificate, along with their medal. John S. Burke Catholic High School National Honor Society Inductees Ivanna Bihun ToniAnn Buchalski Sean Byrons Mackenzie Davies Connor Dolansky Elizabeth Donovan Nicole Episalla Meghan Gallivan Amanda Gebert * Briane Germain Brian Grosso Michelle Gulfo Kathryn Hancharick Gabriella Hauser Bradley Howerter Kevin Jimenez Danielle Kissane Dylan Loughran Tomas Matias * Maureen McDonnell Kate McLoughlin Christopher Morino Brian Mortimore Alyssa O’Keefe Katerina Palydowycz David Polman Doryann Presutti Joseph Racanelli Lindsay Roe Melanie Spall Elora Taphorn Meghan Travers Bridget Walsh Kelly Zepf * Patricia Zick Andrea Zummo *senior