The BPHS Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 69 new students on Wednesday night.
Held in the school’s auditorium, the event began with BPHS Principal Mrs. Sutton introducing the alumni inductees.
The following are the alumni inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame this year:
- David Barraclough (Class of 1971): He retired after thirty-one years in the United States Marine Corps, where he built Habitat for Humanity homes, adopted an elementary school, and raised over $70,000 for children with special needs. He also mentored thousands of Marines.
- Damian M. Ferrese (Class of 2004): He achieved a dual Bachelor’s degree and a career in government and international trade, including diplomatic service as an Agricultural Attaché in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Judy Volpatti (Class of 1976): She owned and taught at a dance studio for nearly 50 years, instructing an estimated 10,000 students.
- Margaret Mannella (Class of 1969): She founded PA Connecting Communities, a nonprofit supporting over 3,000 individuals with disabilities.
- Roger Graham (Class of 1988): He served nine years as a United States Naval Flight Officer with two deployments, then transitioned to the Naval Reserves while leading Teleflex’s Interventional Cardiology Business unit and supporting veterans through Make-A-Vet-Sweat.
What followed was NHS President Tyler Benlock, accompanied by Vice President Callee DalBon, Secretary Julia Bitkowski, and Treasurer Nate Purcell, who led the NHS oath.
The four pillars of BPHS were also mentioned: character, leadership, scholarship, and service.
A mindset that all this year’s inductees shared, emphasized by the requirements they had to meet to get here.
Students had to maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.85, complete at least 35 hours of community service, and provide staff recommendations.
The following are the students inducted into NHS this year:
Class of 2026
- Boyd Alspach
- Emily Wiles
Class of 2027
- Alexandra Cecala
- Carson Foote
- Jaden Veinovich
- Kayla Weiss
- Kylee Elkins
- Luca Del Greco
- Lyla Paul
- Marissa Dankwardt
- Sydney Miller
Class of 2028
- Aiden Rea
- Alyssa Abel
- Annabelle Gaston
- Angelia Ankrom
- Apsha Rai
- Aruzhan Akhmetkhali
- Ava Friday
- Brendan Hunkele
- Brice Faber
- Bryce Kautzman
- Caden Powell
- Charlotte Heckman
- Ciera Erbrecht
- Courtney Felicetti
- Daryn Ringer
- Eliza Sterbal
- Ella Korb
- Ellis Stearman
- Emma Straub
- Fiona O’Neill
- Gavin DeMart
- Gracie Hope
- Hunter Slavonic
- Isabella Fonda
- Jacey Vinoski
- Jane McCann
- Jenna Benlock
- Josephine Boni
- Kathleen Mehrlander
- Maggie Jaglowski
- Magnolia Cavagnaro
- Marcus Gerber
- Mia Hogue
- Michael Mariano
- Myah Milko
- Patrick Gaefke
- Petar Budesa
- Peyton Lambright
- Presley Thimons
- Ryan Oster
- Samantha Wolf
- Sarah George
- Scarlett Stockhausen
- Seath Rovers
- Shelby Studeny
- Sophia Friday
- Sophia Nguyen
- Sydney Glover
- Sydney Kellander
- Teagen McKown
- Temperance Sethman
- Tessa Braham
- Thomas Guenther
- Thomas Strock
- Tyler Atchison
- Verona Willetts
- Veronica Balkovec
- Zofia Smith
Also featured was BPHS’s Top 21 group that performed at the ceremony under the direction of Mr. Kuczawa.
It was a performance that was worthy of such an event.
Nonetheless, this year’s NHS Induction Ceremony not only celebrated academic achievements but also highlighted the efforts of everyone involved.
As the 2025-26 school year nears its end, with the fourth nine-weeks not far away, it’s safe to say the school’s future is in good hands.
