May 2005
Contact: Dorothy Wills-Raftery
(845) 255-1400 xt. 1209

National Honor Society Inducts 38 Ulster County Students

Smiles adorned the faces of 38 Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center juniors and seniors representing eight Ulster County school districts as they eagerly waited to be inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) during a recent candlelight pinning ceremony held at the Career & Technical Center in Port Ewen. Ulster BOCES District Superintendent Martin Ruglis and Ulster BOCES Deputy Superintendent Dr. Anthony J. Amodeo presented certificates and pins. Also present to support and congratulate the students were Honor Society co-advisors Michael Fresina and Gloria Middaugh, as well as representatives from the area school districts, instructors, families, and friends.

“Why are you here? Why do you want to be Honor Society members?” Gary Suraci, principal of the Career & Technical Center asked the students. “Well, I think I know. I think that all of you being inducted this evening have that spark, that drive, that raw talent…your parents helped kindle that spark and it became a flame. Your teachers fanned that flame and it became a fire. Your actions, drive, hard work, and successes fueled that fire and now it’s a roaring blaze. Boy, is it hot in here! Keep that fire burning throughout your life and your careers so that one day you, too, can be champions of your own destiny…and perhaps one day turn someone else’s sparks into a roaring blaze. Congratulations to you and your parents.”

There are specific requirements for a student to meet in order to be inducted into the Honor Society. A student must have displayed exceptional academic achievement, have no more than two unexcused absences, and most importantly, have a teacher recommendation.

Throughout the year, the Honor Society students perform various fundraising and community service activities. According to Middaugh, the NTHS had a busy year with community service. The students participated in the Ulster County Toy Drive. They also held a fundraiser called Helping Hands for Tsunami Relief through the American Red Cross. The students sold daffodils and will be walking for a cancer cure at Dietz stadium to benefit the American Cancer Society, as well as participating in the community Clean Sweep in New Paltz. The students also maintain a memorial garden in memory of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy.

The Ulster BOCES students inducted into the Honor Society are from Ellenville, Highland, Kingston, New Paltz, Onteora, Rondout Valley, Saugerties, and Wallkill School Districts.