NHS inducts 94 new members

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer

April 4, 2025

NHS inductees ascend the grand staircase before entering the auditorium for the induction ceremony.

On March 20, BPHS celebrated the induction of 94 new members into its National Honor Society (NHS) chapter.

The ceremony took place in the high school auditorium, gathering students, families, and faculty to honor the latest additions to this prestigious organization.

The inductees comprised 6 seniors, 20 juniors, and 68 sophomores, all of whom had met the standards set forth by NHS.

To qualify for induction, students needed to achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.85, complete 35 hours of community service within a year before induction, demonstrate leadership capabilities, and secure a letter of recommendation from a member of the BPHS faculty.

Additionally, applicants submitted essays detailing their leadership experiences over the past year, which were reviewed by the NHS Faculty Council.

The following are the students inducted into NHS this year:

Class of 2025

Cooper Dzanaj
Ronald Dziezgowski
Ethan Eckley
Lydia Goodman
Rodan Hassan
Seth Miller

Class of 2026

Ankith Acharya
Allison Atchison
Elliett Briggs
Bryleigh Burke
Athena Clagett
Jacob Coffield
Rowan Darr
Fiorella Flores-Zambrano
Tanner Friedberg
Ferlinghetti Harter-Hughes
Jennifer Heh
Jacalyn Kalogeris
Zhao Lin Lu
Alaina McKain
Keira Ross
Caleigh Shannon
Caelyn Stewart
Abigail Stutzman
Leah Tran

Class of 2027

Neha Adhikari
Francesca Balkovec
Alexander Bielozer
Owen Bileck
Connor Blocklin
Maura Blum
Avery Bonacci
Lily Bostaph
Evarett Briggs
Brayden Bruckner
Victoria Carberry
Liliana Centofanti
Madhu Chava
Cayden Chilenski
Katelyn Coates
Nicholas Coleman
Mia Cotter
Caleb Crawford
Kenley Crawford
Lucy Dzanaj
Jackson Edwards
Salome Ferreyra
Cami Fisher
Colton Fisher
Elaine Flaherty
Madison Geraud
Jack Johnson
Samuel Knauff
Kaylee Kreigline
Ella Krisfalusy
Gabriella Labate
Kyrsten Lam
Odin Lundblom
Ashley Mason
Aaden McClelland
Morgan McKiernan
Samantha Metzler
Lydia Mowl
Riley Philage
Zachary Pschirer
Nathan Purcell
Emily Reid
Jace Rendulic
Amanda Richards
Amy Riviere
Adina Rooney
Kai Roule
William Sabatos
Lucia Sciallo
Nevinka Silva-Ratnayake
Alexander Skaris
Mackenzie Smock
Haley Walters
Nora Welch
Lincoln Werts
Lily Yester
Gianna Young

The induction ceremony also featured the 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame Induction, honoring distinguished alumni who have significantly impacted their fields and communities.

1981 graduate of Bethel Park and Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Mr. Vince Gastgeb, current Chief Government and Corporate Affairs Officer for the Allegheny County Airport Authority and former Allegheny County Councilman, addresses the NHS inductees at the induction ceremony. (Colt Wahl)

The honorees included Glenn D. Hughes ’67, Jess Fardella ’69, Mary Rose Loney ’70, Vincent J. Gastgeb ’81, and Michael Paulick ’33, honored posthumously.

Highlighting the four pillars of NHS, which are scholarship, leadership, character, and service, NHS leaders shared their perspectives on the importance of each principle in the lives of students.

Senior, NHS officer Ella Milliken addresses the NHS inductees at the induction ceremony. (Colt Wahl)

The events resonated deeply with the school community, marking a memorable occasion for both the new NHS members and the alumni being recognized.

The future looks promising for these young leaders as they embark on their academic and personal journeys, bringing honor to BPHS as Mr. O’Brien serves as the Faculty Advisor for NHS, guiding students in their pursuit of excellence.

National Honors Society

About the Contributors

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer

And that’s another Bethel Park Black Hawks win for the boys soccer team. Whether Patrick is on the soccer field or behind the keyboard, he’s always aiming to make an impact—one play and one story at a time. This year, Patrick Romito, an 11th grader, joins Scholastic Publications for the first time. When asked why he decided to sign up, Patrick said, “I took the class to get more involved in school activities.” With a clear passion for making the most of his high school experience, Patrick is eager to contribute to the class by writing articles for the Hawk Eye newspaper. He’s ready to take on whatever stories come his way, whether spotlight features, sports, or school news. Patrick is not just a writer; he’s also an accomplished athlete. With 12 years of soccer experience under his belt and as a three-year DECA member, he balances both extracurriculars and academics with ease. As someone who enjoys variety, he’s equally open to different kinds of stories, saying, “I enjoy writing in general, so whether it’s spotlights, sports, or school news-related content, it doesn’t matter to me.” Looking ahead, Patrick’s plans after high school include studying marketing and advertising, although he’s still deciding on a specific college. In the meantime, his favorite class is Law & You with Mr. Vic. He appreciates how the course prepares him for life after high school, and he enjoys Mr. Vic’s real-life stories that make each lesson engaging. Reflecting on his time in high school, Patrick recalls the excitement of attending football games as a freshman, where he formed friendships that have lasted throughout his high school years. “I really enjoyed going to the football games freshman year because I ended up making a lot of friends there, a lot of which I’m still friends with today,” he said. Outside of school, Patrick has worked as a lifeguard at Highpoint Fitness for almost two years, a job that highlights his dedication and work ethic. When he’s not working or playing soccer, he enjoys comedy movies, with Step Brothers being his top pick. And what’s his dream vacation? Patrick hopes to one day visit Italy. “My dream vacation is Italy because first, it is very beautiful there, as well as my family roots going back to there,” he shared. In just three words, Patrick describes himself as calm, caring, and hardworking — qualities that are sure to serve him well both in and out of the classroom. Keep an eye out for Patrick’s contributions to Hawk Eye this year as he dives into the world of scholastic publications! Written by: Grace Ferency, Staff Writer

Colt Wahl, Photographer