Tamaqua MS inducts 56 into the Junior Honor Society

The Tamaqua Area Middle School chapter of the National Junior Honor Society inducted 56 new members Thursday, Sept. 24 at a ceremony at the school district's auditorium.

Founded in 1929, NJHS ranks as one of the oldest and most prestigious national recognition organizations for students. It is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Members were selected to the society by the chapter's faculty council for meeting high standards of scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship.

The new inductees join the 35 eight grade students at the school who were inducted last year.

Mrs.Maura Streisel serves as advisor to the Tamaqua Area Middle School chapter.

"We are very proud to recognize these outstanding members of our student body," said Mrs. Streisel. "Members of the National Junior Honor Society are chosen for, and then expected to continue, their exemplary contributions to the school and community."

Emily Demyanovich, who served as an officer last year, and Elissa Streisel, a member of the Tamaqua Area High School's National Honor Society, participated in the traditional candle lighting ceremony.

Mrs. Streisel presented each member with a certificate, and Mr. Christopher Czapla, middle school principal, provided congratulatory remarks.

This was the third induction of members into the National Junior Honor Society, an organization that has over 6,000 chapters nationwide.

Throughout the year, members will participate in both group and individual service projects for the school and community. The primary group project is assisting with the Carbon-Tamaqua Unit of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event in June.

In order to qualify for the society, students must have a cumulative average of 90 or abive as per the school's third marking period. Students must also have a satisfactory school discipline record, document at least five service hours, and obtain a letter or recommendation.

The new inductees include Trevor Skripko, Tyler Skripko, Tyler Resch, Joshua Ambrose-Manness, Carly Sassaman, Danielle DeCindio, Ernest Shilko, Vanessa Solt, Kristina Gilbert, Christopher Hartung, Brandon Parramore, Rebecca Minehan, Jack Nemeth, Robert August III, Anthony Lewis, Nathan MacDonald, Jacob Gursky, Jacob Humes, Derek Keich, Boaz Rottet, David Kunkel, Brooke DeHart, Joshua Delp, Bailey Hartung, Rachel Keich, Tannar Urban and Jamie Mateyak.

Also inducted were Tiffany Shilko, Hayley Sturgis, Joseph Mellott, Madelyn Dolinsky, Bradkey Fedor, Claire Frank, Amanda Fritz, Brooke Marton, Kelsey Massar, Zachary Wargula, Lacie McManus, Harold Moll, Olivia Morrison, Devin Murphy, Kyle Weaver, Paige Demetriades, Shayna Dietrich, Jonathan Tite, Cheyanne Wassel, Andrew Delpais, Kayla Wickersham, Brianna Wittig, Rachael Paisley, Beth Kistler, Hannah Zoba, Jillian Franko, Caitlyn Zimmerman and Abby Shumgart.