Mustang Monthly

IHS National Honor Society Inducts 54 Students

Immaculate High School inducted 54 students into the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapter of the National Honor Society, an affiliated chartered chapter of the National Honor Society, on Sunday, December 16. The students were celebrated at a special ceremony at Michael’s At the Grove in Bethel. Social Studies teacher Wendy Neil was the keynote speaker.

"These students have demonstrated their ability to meet the National Honor Society's academic and ethical standards and emulate our school charism which includes being moral, respectful and responsible leaders," said Mary Maloney, President of Immaculate High School. She also thanked English teacher/Department Chair and Immaculate’s NHS chapter advisor Dana Pinckney for her guidance and leadership.

Students who are inducted into the National Society must have at least a 3.5 GPA. They must also have leadership roles in both school and community, inspire positive behavior in others, serve at least 75 hours (juniors) or 100 hours (seniors) of community service and consistently demonstrate respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and good citizenship. Membership is offered to juniors and seniors who meet the criteria established by the National Association of Secondary School Principals in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Candidate members are selected through a comprehensive application for admission and once accepted, are expected to uphold the criteria of excellence in all four areas.

"Immaculate High School congratulates our 2018-2019 National Honor Society students for their continued hard work and dedication to their studies, and we also recognize and appreciate the support of their parents and families,” said Dr. Patrick Higgins, IHS Principal. “I am very proud of their academic achievements and well-deserved recognition in the National Honor Society. May God continue to bless them in all of their academic and extracurricular endeavours," he added.

The students inducted at the ceremony include:  Nathalie Andrade, Kate Banks, Victoria Bono, Alissa Brugnatelli, Thomas Coonan, Francesca Coppola, Molly Coyle, Michelle DeMotte, Tristan DiNatale, Keelan Doherty, Kieran Doolabh, John Doran, Brian Douglas, Diego Echavarria, Elizabeth Flaherty, Brigid Gage, Abigail Gleissner, Gregory Gruerio, Sean Guiry, Quinn Guth, Olivia Heineken, Rachel Iannarelli, Patrick Iannetta, Sage Karp, Olivia Kent, Hunter Kirkman, Nicolas Lepore, Elisa Lifrieri, Bingying "Isabella" Liu, Qianer "Kris" Lu, Michael Malgieri, Gia Massoni, Ryan McNerney, Drew Mitchell, James Mok, Emma Mortara, Samantha Mulvey, James O'Keefe, Mackenzie O'Rourke, Lauren Oskam, Lucas Pereira, Lauren Petta, Hans Reelick, Ross Relator, Danielle Sekelsky, Finnian Sawitsky, Madeline Suarez, Brendan Taylor, Bradley Thayer, Alexa Villega, Zhiwei "Catherine" Wang, Alexander Werdann, Dan Wroblewski and Xuanbing "Krystal" Zhang.

Hans Reelick is Student of the Month for World Languages  

Every month the Recognition Committee asks teachers for nominations for students of the month in a certain subject area.The committee uses a blind nomination process to make their final selection based on teachers' responses. In December 2018, junior Hans Reelick was named Student of the Month for World Languages.

“I am honored to be selected Student of the Month for World Languages, I am very grateful and appreciative to receive this recognition,” said Hans. “This is my third consecutive year of Spanish at Immaculate and I have enjoyed each year,” he noted. According to his teacher, Hans eagerly shares his love of the language with other students and helps his classmates to understand concepts and succeed; he also offers sincere intentions during prayers and shows a true passion for learning.

Hans’ love of learning and school goes beyond the Spanish classroom. “I love the atmosphere that IHS offers to every student. The school spirit is displayed in many ways throughout the year, and there are a plethora of activities to attend from Spirit Week and Homecoming in the Fall to the students vs. faculty basketball game in the Spring and all the events in between,” he said.

He also appreciates the efforts Immaculate takes to welcome new students. “My advice to incoming freshman or transfer students would be to get involved -- don’t be afraid to join a club or an activity just because you do not know anyone yet. These are the programs that will open you up to so many people that could one day introduce you to your new  best friend,” he explained.

Hans currently plays on the varsity tennis team and assists the Student Council with their events. He is also the sound manager for the Fall Drama and was also recently inducted into National Honor Society. In all, he considers his time at Immaculate a great success. “Over the past three years at IHS I have achieved honors and high honors. I truly enjoy each club and team that I am a part of and I especially love helping to plan and set up each activity that the Student Council puts on for the school,” Hans said. Outside of school Hans works at his family’s business Hollandia Nursery in Bethel CT.

After graduation Hans wishes to attend college for agricultural business and then hopes to take over the family business of Hollandia, a farming business. Congratulations to the other nominees for Student of the Month for World Languages:

Senior Sage Karp, junior Lauren Petta; sophomores Emily Mannion and Alexandra Terzis and freshman Gavin Buttafuoco and Diana DiVestea.

Mock Trial Wins    

The IHS Mock Trial Team is moving on to the next round in the Civics First State Competition after winning the regional round held at the Danbury Courthouse (arguing the case Andy Archer v. Detailed Security); they will next compete in the quarterfinals at Quinnipiac Law School during the first week in February.

Civics First is a private, non-profit association that conducts and promotes law-related education programs in Connecticut’s public, private, and parochial schools. It is designed to help students develop self-confidence as well as critical thinking and public speaking skills while learning about the Constitution and the rule of law. Established in 1976, Civics First partners with many private and public groups and individuals throughout the state, including the Bar, State and Federal courts and institutions of higher education. More than 600 students on 57 teams from schools across Connecticut participate in Mock Trials hosted by Civics First.

Diana DiVestea Earns GS Silver Award 

Freshman Diana DiVestea earned her Girl Scout Silver Award last month. A member of  North Salem Troop #1144, her project was on educating the public about food allergies. The ceremony was at the Paramount Theater in Peekskill, NY.