The high school celebrated a new tradition on Feb. 4 with the school’s first National Math and Science Honor Societies induction ceremony, held in the school’s auditorium. To qualify for acceptance into either honor society, students needed to have an overall grade point average of 85 or higher, and a content-specific GPA in either math or science of 90 or higher.

A total of 29 exceptional juniors and seniors were the first to be welcomed to the National Math Honor Society, which was formed in 1957: Aliseena Aiwazali, Nova Alim, Huda Ameen, Audrey Barke, Ayden Caldea, Haley Celona, Saiansh Chaddha, Angela D’Antonio, Sabrina Felipe, Dana Laissle, Lindsey Lam, Julianna Lasorsa, Regan Mays, Zubaer Mohiudden, Joshua Murphy, Joseph Ogden, Amanda Poggioli, Michael Quinones, Omar Rahim, Alyssa Robb, Matthew Rosati, Nimra Salim, Khabiba Shahid, Tasfia Shaikh, Jessica Siford, Madison Steddick, Alisha Suhail, Gavin Thomas and Purnava Zakaria.

Joining the National Science Honor Society, formed in 2000, were 33 juniors and seniors: Aiwazali, Alim, Dana Ali, Ameen, Barke, Deirdre Burke, Caldea, Betul Camlica, Chaddha, Azim Chowdhury, Jillian Cornelia, D’Antonio, Felipe, Ahmed Iqbal, Lam, Lasorsa, Mays, Mohiudden, Murphy, Ogden, Poggioli, Quinones, Rahim, Joshua Rivera, Rosati, Salim, Shahid, Shaikh, Siford, Steddick, Suhail, Thomas and Zakaria.

Following a performance of the national anthem by the school’s women’s choir, speakers at the event included Curriculum Associate for Science and Technology Alison Branca, Curriculum Associate for Mathematics and Business Christine Gill, Principal Charles Cobb, and advisers Sara DiCandia and Dylan Duprez.   

“There aren’t many times in your life when you’ll do something that you are the first at,” Cobb told the students. “Tonight is definitely one of those nights, being that you are the inaugural class for the Math and Science Honor Societies. This is an accomplishment that you can take with you as you go beyond Deer Park High School into a college program or career field.”

“All of these students have challenged themselves with the most rigorous schedules and upheld the greatest honor inside and outside of the classroom,” said Gill. “We are thrilled to officially be adding Deer Park students to these prestigious honor societies.”

“On behalf of myself and Mrs. Gill, let us be the first of many to congratulate you on this accomplishment,” said Branca. “We also would like to extend our congratulations to the parents and families of these remarkable young people. Your unconditional love, guidance, support and encouragement throughout the years is a big reason why your sons and daughters are here tonight.”