Our Youth

National Honors for Holy Cross H.S.

June 27, 2012

Holy Cross H.S., Flushing, inducted 41 of its top academic achievers into the National Honor Society (NHS), the nation’s premiere organization recognizing exceptional high school students.

Above from are the Knights inducted into the Holy Cross H.S. National Honor Society. Seated from left are sophomores: Brandon Silva, Joseph Romano, Brian Conlon, Brian Lloyd, Robert Bowe, Christopher Lavelle, Daniel Reisert, Kurt Wolf, David Friedman and Tyler Ratigan. In the middle row are: Thomas Gillan, James Neil, Eric Espinoza, Matthew Modzelewski, Thomas DeJunco, John Murray, Brandon Gonzalez, Juan Borges, Brandon Persaud, Thomas O’Malley and Anthony Zagorsky.  In the back row are: Brandon Picarello, Joseph Moledo, Gerard Fraracci, Michael Wang, Robert McMahon, Kavell Brown, David Lago, Liam Higgins, Steven Cacchioli, Georgie Peck, Joseph Gross and Jose Pinola.

During the ceremony, five newly elected officers were also announced.

NHS moderator Janene White opened the evening by welcoming the new inductees and giving accolades to senior and junior members of the NHS who had accumulated over 1,000 service hours since the beginning of the school year.

“We sincerely value your dedication,” she said. “This is an opportunity to recognize your success and ability to lead, and we recognize you not because you have asked for it, but because you have made us so very proud.”

Principal Joseph Giannuzzi, ’65, asked the group to contemplate the positive impact that their actions have on others.

“Maybe it’s because you give that extra help in tutoring, or maybe it’s because of the service you gave,” he said. “Or, perhaps it’s simply by the example you set each and every day in this building. But, Holy Cross men never have a doubt that they will always make a difference in the lives of others.”

While NHS President Victor Benavides echoed this sentiment, he urged his peers not to be content to rest on their laurels.

“I challenge you to continue to strive toward your goals,” he said. “I challenge you to be Holy Cross Men.”

He also emphasized the NHS’s guiding principles – scholarship, leadership, service and character – pointing out that these four tenets translate to “a life backed by purpose.”

The keynote speaker, Msgr. Joseph Quinn, J.D., J.C.L., from Fordham University, the Bronx, spoke about the fleeting passage of time and encouraged students to spend their days wisely.

“Learning how to use time wisely is one of the greatest challenges we have,” he said.  “How will you see your time marked as a leader?”

Closing remarks were made by school president Father Walter Jenkins, C.S.C., Ed.D., who emphasized the value of a Holy Cross education.

“When we gather to celebrate the hard work and academic achievement of these students, the reality of this community shines in a priceless light,” he said.

The newly elected officers from the Holy Cross H.S. junior class are Nicholas Zito, president; Matthew Burke, first vice president; Frank Barangi, second vice president; Andrew Azarcon, secretary; and Vincent LaRocco, treasurer.  The Michael J. Pergolizzi Memorial Scholarship was presented to senior Andrew Santis and junior Joseph DiNatale in memory of Michael Pergolizzi, ‘77, who was a member of the NHS from 1976 to 1977.